The Monday of the following week started out rather quietly than usually.

University entrance letters were no longer exciting anyone anymore.

Students were discussing exams and their futures, but the hecticness of recent weeks was replaced by something more steady and confident.

Everyone was taking their places.

Kuro was attempting to do the same.

---

When it was finally homeroom time, the class’s counselor came inside with a pile of folders under her arm.

"As we start new classes today, I have one piece of news for everyone."

Classroom instantly became silent.

"The deadline for submitting application documents, for those of you who apply via recommendation or special admission, falls on the last day of this week."

A few students nodded.

Other instantly started checking their schedules.

The woman continued her speech.

"If you need recommendation letter for your application, talk to your advisor soon."

Kuro instantly reached his bag where he kept his psychology department application form.

It was still incomplete, as one page was marked as uncompleted – Teacher Recommendation Letter.

---

At the end of classes, Kuro was standing outside professor Minami’s office room.

The wooden door was left ajar.

The professor herself was sitting behind the desk, concentrating on papers.

She didn’t notice Kuro’s presence yet.

He knocked lightly.

"Enter."

Minami looked up.

"Oh."

"Yes."

"You were thinking how long it will take me."

Kuro tried to smile awkwardly.

"I guess I was pretty predictable."

"The moment you brought this application folder was almost a week ago."

"I guess you finally reached recommendation letter part."

Minami smiled.

"And why am I surprised?"

"I’ve been a teacher longer than you were born."

"That’s why you know me so well."

---

Kuro scratched the back of his head.

"I was thinking..."

"If..."

She raised an eyebrow.

"If?"

"Would you be willing to give me recommendation letter?"

Minami stared at him precisely three seconds and then sighed in dramatic way.

"Seems like I don’t have any other choice."

Immediately bowing, Kuro thanked Minami.

But she started laughing.

"Did you take my sigh seriously?"

"Don’t you think?"

"No. Actually, I’ve already begun writing it yesterday."

Surprised, Kuro looked up.

"Excuse me?"

"I sensed your intentions, and I wanted to spare us both some time."

---

Kuro had to smile.

"You really know what people think."

"Not all people."

"Your students."

She opened her drawer and took a pale paper envelope which wasn’t closed yet.

In the upper left corner, there was a paper of university application attached.

Minami looked at it and then, tapping lightly against table, asked:

"There’s one condition."

Kuro straightened.

"What is it?"

"Allowing you to read it."

Surprised, he looked at professor.

"...Really?"

She nodded.

"The majority of teachers prefer not to let their students see recommendation letter."

"I understand."

"But I want you to."

Confused, Kuro looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because I don’t want there to be any statements in this letter you don’t believe in yourself."

---

For a while...

Kuro just stared at the envelop.

And it seemed his hands became somehow too heavy.

"I don’t think I should..."

Minami smiled brightly.

"Afraid?"

"A little bit."

"Good."

And she put letter in front of him.

"That means you’ll take this letter seriously."

---

Slowly Kuro unfolded its pages.

Paper became warm.

Maybe because Minami had written it just now.

Or maybe due to the knowledge Kuro was holding in his hands.

Kuro glanced at first sentences.

"To the Admissions Committee,

It’s an honor for me to write recommendation letter for Kuro Kurogane for admission to your Department of Psychology. For several years, I have witnessed not only academic but also personality growth of this wonderful student of mine.

Kuro paused and then silently read next sentence.

"If the decision would be made according to only student’s achievements in studies, there would be more talented ones among my students."

Palm suddenly pressed against his heart.

Looking at professor, Kuro saw her nod.

"Read further."

---

He lowered his eyes once again.

"If the letter would be written based on the level of talents, again there were people who proved themselves better."

Again this thought appeared in his head.

She’s right.

Not even among all students Kuro wasn’t the top of the class.

Nor he was the most naturally talented.

He was not exceptional. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

His fingers clenched on paper.

But next sentence was waiting for him.

And Kuro stopped breathing.

"However..."

Looking at only one word, he slowly shifted his glance down the line.

Minami was watching silently.

Slowly, Kuro’s eyes moved to the next paragraph.

For a brief moment...

Silence enveloped the room apart from the ticking of the wall clock.

Then he started reading again.

However, universities do not exist merely to teach talented minds. They exist to cultivate individuals who one day will serve their society.

His grip on the letter slackened.

The anxious feeling in his chest dissipated slightly.

He continued.

From my experience as an educator, I have met several individuals who performed exceptionally in subjects like mathematics, science, literature, music, and physical activities. Some of them had exceptional talents in various fields.

Kuro Kurogane is special.

His heartbeat raced a bit faster.

Special.

He had wondered if that word implied some sort of flaw for years.

Now...

Well, he wasn’t sure anymore.

---

Kuro’s eyes went to the next paragraph.

He paused.

Reread it.

Again.

This time a bit slower.

He is not the student who talks the most.

He is not the student who constantly demands attention from other people.

He is not the student with the best grades in class.

He is the one who manages to change people simply by being a listener.

The words blurred.

Kuro blinked.

Only later did he realize that tears had started forming in his eyes.

He lowered the piece of paper for a few seconds.

"...Sensei..."

His voice barely made a sound.

Minami just smiled.

"Please keep reading."

---

Kuro drew a deep breath.

During his time at our institution, I have seen him more than once approached by students during periods when they felt unsure.

It is not because he always knew what was right and wrong.

It is because of the trust they put in him to tell the truth.

He remembered Yui.

That roof.

The medical examination.

Her tears when she passed it.

He remembered the fears Mina had of becoming an educator one day.

He remembered Rika’s frustrations regarding writing realistic characters.

He remembered Akari pretending that nothing bad happened whenever they argued.

He remembered Aoi struggling with understanding emotions logically.

At that point, he had never realized...

These incidents formed somebody else’s memories as well.

---

Kuro continued reading.

He has brought confidence to one student who decided to start studying medicine despite numerous failed attempts.

He gave courage to another one to join our teaching staff.

And taught another one how to create believable characters in their books.

None of these accomplishments belong only to Kuro.

However, in their own words, each of these students mentioned that Kuro has managed to help them believe in themselves again.

Tears fell on his cheek silently.

He wiped them quickly.

"I...I..."

He could not finish his sentence.

Minami did not push him further.

She simply waited patiently.

---

He read the rest of the recommendation.

There is a common myth that psychology involves providing solutions for various problems.

To me personally, great psychologists do not talk the most.

They make other people feel comfortable enough to find the solution on their own.

Kuro has this natural gift.

He remembered the old man Mr. Takeda.

His smile.

That quiet afternoon in the library.

He remembered the words of Haruka.

"You gave them another pair of eyes to see those memories."

He remembered Minami saying...

"You did not go there to solve his life."

"You went there to give him company."

Everything fell into place.

---

Kuro came to the end of that letter.

His hands shook a bit.

The final paragraph was shorter compared to the rest of the recommendation.

Still...

It seemed much more important now.

The knowledge can be taught.

Professional skills can be improved with time.

And experience gained through the years.

Character is far harder to achieve.

Having no doubt whatsoever, I can say that Kuro Kurogane is a kind-hearted, humble person who still strives to learn new things that his job requires.

Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend him.

Sincerely,

Minami Asakura.

The entire room fell silent.

Kuro slowly lowered the letter.

His eyes fixated on the signature.

For several seconds...

He could say absolutely nothing.

---

Silently, Minami prepared another cup of tea.

"I was surprised to see how long it will take until you start crying."

Kuro chuckled through his tears.

"Well..."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

He wiped them with the sleeve of his school uniform.

"...Okay."

"I am."

Minami offered him a handkerchief.

"I know."

---

Composing himself, Kuro looked at the letter one more time.

"...Sensei."

"Yes?"

"There is no way I deserve words like these."

She smiled.

"I knew it will be your answer."

She leaned back in her chair.

"But let me ask you something."

"Is there anything that prevents you from giving Yui another opportunity?"

"No."

"When she said that she might never become a teacher..."

"Can you think of any reason why she does not deserve any encouragement?"

"Not at all."

"When Rika was sure that she would never create realistic characters..."

"Do you see anything in her that prevents her from finding somebody who believes in her?"

"Yes."

Minami nodded.

"And what prevents you?"

Kuro opened his mouth to reply.

But he found no words.

There was nothing he could say to convince her otherwise.

---

Minami got up and walked to the window.

"You spent years believing in everybody else around you."

She looked outside where several students crossed the campus courtyard.

"Maybe..."

"Maybe it is time to borrow our faith in you."

Kuro gazed down at the recommendation letter.

It contained none of those exaggerations.

There were no words describing him as someone extraordinary.

No descriptions that considered him to be a genius.

All the recommendation talked about were...

His actions as a listener.

Someone who sticks to the end.

Someone who helps other people believe in themselves without demanding any reward.

Suddenly, he realized why she let him read it.

She was not trying to convince the university that he deserves to get in there.

She was trying to convince himself of that.

---

Minami closed the letter carefully.

And handed it to him.

"Now this letter belongs to the admissions office."

Kuro took it with both hands.

"...I will try my best."

She smiled.

"I know."

As Kuro rose to leave the room, he paused for a moment.

"...Sensei."

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

Not for the letter.

Not for the recommendation.

But for believing in him all those years ago when he was not sure if he deserved such faith.

Minami understood what he meant immediately.

She smiled kindly at him.

"Go out there and become that very person we already know that you are capable of being."

Kuro nodded once.

And left the room.

The letter felt incredibly light in his hands.

But the faith it contained...

It felt immeasurably heavy.

Previously, this kind of faith used to scare him.

But now it only gave him the courage to go forward.