(a handwritten letter)

My dear Ayame,

How are you? Is everything all right where you are? As for me - it's work as usual. Today we've gotten lots of progress and will probably take a break after finishing this latest project. Perhaps then I can come see you. It's strange how we could live in the same city and not cross each other's path for over two months already. Is it bad luck or just distance-wise? I suppose this might be one of the flaws of your precious city. I will forgive Teito just now, for your sake. But forgive me for not coming to visit you. Like I said, there's just been so much work and I've been busy. The weather is getting colder and I miss your warm hugs and kisses so much. You're always in my thoughts. I will come and see you as soon as I can.

Yours forever,
Yamazaki Shinosuke

* * * * * * * * * *

Yamazaki folded the letter and put it in an envelope, then slipped it in his coat pocket. Stretching, he got up from his desk and looked around the lab. 'I've been fortunate to have gotten a grant to fund and facilitate my work, daga...'

"Sensei!" chimed one of his assistants, "We've already put away most of the stuff. Let's lock up and call it a night. I'm buying dinner too!"

"Aa," he uttered, taking off his reading glasses and gathering up his papers. "It's cold outside. Better bundle up, Tanaka-kun."

"Hai!" Tanaka replied, helping him put cloth over some of the work left out, "Demo, Sensei, did you read the paper? Kanzaki Industries just released a new mech model for military use in Europe... It's almost like your prototype, but its way sophisticated..."

"Your point??"

"My point is that the competition is on to us. Maybe you should reconsider spending your days here in this cold lab making inventions that other people have beat you to, and perhaps go spend time with your beautiful girlfriend." Tanaka noted, holding up the framed picture of Ayame, "Ne, Sensei??"

Yamazaki snagged the photograph from him and wiped the fingerprints off the glass. Another assistant suddenly popped up. "Stop tormenting Sensei! You're so annoying, Tanaka-kun!"

"Uresai, Rika-san!!"

"How dare you! I was just saying - even if Sensei's work seems a bit doomed to failure, it's still his passion and you mustn't interfere!!"

As those two argued, Yamazaki sighed and rubbed his head. "Thanks a lot for all your support. But, let's just get going. I'll buy dinner tonight."

"YATTA!!" chimed Tanaka. The assistants got their coats and rushed out the door, "Definitely ramen~!"

Yamazaki slowly turned off the light and went for the door. He turned and looked back at the photo on his desk. Smiling, he bowed his head and walked out.

'Ayame... I want to see you...'

"Iya yo! I want shabu-shabu!!" Rika argued.

Yamazaki trailed behind them, carrying his briefcase and a couple of rolled up blueprints. Shivering, he stopped and put his stuff down to button up his coat.

'Daga...'

The ground suddenly shook and Yamazaki fell to knees. "NAN DA?!" Turning around, he saw that building behind him suddenly burst into flames. "S-Sonna!!" he exclaimed, rising to his feet and starting to run towards the burning building, "SONNA!!!"

"SENSEI!! DAME DESU!!" Rika and Tanaka both snagged him and tried to hold him from running into the blaze. The three of them watched as the place they had called 'home' for the last two months and all their finished work was now nothing but burning rumble.

"Who could have done such a thing...?" Rika sobbed, tears falling from her eyes, "It's unforgivable!"

"Hidoi..." Tanaka growled, clenching his fists, "Damn those bastards who did this!!"

Yamazaki just dropped his arms and watched the flames, his own heart breaking.

'My patience is withering away...'

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Coming someday: "Taisho Love Story - The Final Battle"

Special note:
Domo arigatou gozaimashita for reading \(^o^)/ It'll be a while before I start finishing up the second/concluding half of the Tai Kouma Butai series. It's too serious for my concentration and with school & everything that's going on, I'd rather write something silly and happy. (I have put on hold some other planned fic series, due to graphic violence & such - until a more appropiate time arises) Also, 'Rika & Tanaka' are made up characters of my own creation, while Ayame-tachi (& others from the Sakura Taisen world) are creations by Ooji Hiroi-sensei. Rika & Tanaka & Takamura will be regulars in the other half. I even plan a cameo by a young Oogami?? OH! and those doodles are by me. (=^_^=) but i can't color well and my colorist is striking (EVIL EVIL!). Anyways, that's all for now. Until next time, JillM