June 10, U.C.787

Dear Wen-li:

You must be wondered to receive such a thing, ... such a letter, from who you see almost every day and night in the same dormitory. I hate to trouble you, but I really felt I had to write. I might be nervous to say enough what I want to say straight to your face.

First of all, what I should say is... Congratulations on your graduation! I was truly relieved from hearing you were exposed to a danger of not being able to graduate... Just kidding.

Thinking of the days I spent with you, I have fully understood the word "Time flies." as if was something new. Surely you remember about the time we first encountered, the night you found a big fat stray cat on the wall. It was a big day in my life that I ever thanked my fortune key (perhaps I have told you the unfortunate inside story, especially for me!) for my great fortune. Of course, not for escaping punishment of breaking curfew, but falling across with my best senior friend. (Hope you don't mind if I call you so.)

I will never forget these two years in this academy. Never forget the fussy dormitory room we drunk and discussed all night, the shade of the old oak tree in the schoolyard we often had lunch and took a sleep in a peaceful afternoon (and often overslept and got late for the class after that), and the corner of the library you also loved for a siesta... Gee, all I'm talking are about sleeping! I surely remember our miracle victory in many mock battles, in the class of tactics and fleet command. You might not recognize how I felt overjoyed and thrilled of pride for pairing with you in the games. Telling the truth, you were my most adoring. I never expected my academy life would be such a wonderful thing.

Great Thank-you from my heart to your friendship so far. And, the most thing I would like to say is that I will always keep respect on you, for all your wisdom, your knowledge, your quite unique mind, and all what you are.

I really miss you, but I believe it's just for a while, not so "long goodbye." Earnestly hope I could follow you, or rather catch up your footsteps, and walk with you without further delay.

I wish your continued success, fortune, and happiness in the future. Also feeling no reluctance to wish your happy pension life, but I would be glad if you'd hold to get in such a life for a while, at least until I catch up with you.

Your looking-over of my poor handwriting will be my cherished gift. And it will be very happy if you don't mind me writing to you sometimes like this.

Please tell me your new mail address, upon you getting settled of course, so that I can keep in touch with you.

Yours in unbounded gratitude and admiration,

Dusty

June21, U.C.787

Dear Dusty,

How are you getting along with your new timetable? You're now in the third year, while you are to watch over the curfew-breakers like someone, as an upper-class man.

I'm fine, putting aside the fact having practical training (hand-to-hand combat/EVA) here in Srinagar-III base. No time to think about the long, routine history between the Free Planets and the Empire. This is perhaps a kind of deep compassion for rookies from higher officials.

And thank you very much for your handwriting letter. But, well, why didn't you hand it to me at that time, 'cause I was looking for you after the ceremony. You wrote your gratitude and your opinion from 'your' one-way viewpoint, but I also wanted to say thanks to you at that time.

So, now I write here. Really thank you for your friendship and presence. My four years in the Academy would have definitely been gray and miserable without you and Jean Robert.

I'm looking forward to your graduation and will watch, as an idle bystander, your running on fast track. Anyway, only two-year service I cannot be entitled to the military pension. (That would be great, yes.)

Official commission and assignment is to be given next month, and this e-mail address is valid up to that time. I'll write you again.

Best & Take care,

Wen-li