Dawn of Symbiosis #126 Chapter 25 Section 3: The 'Town Circle' Connected by the Community - Serial Novel

The morning in City A begins with a refreshing breeze.

Local volunteers standing on the school route were calling out to the children again today.

"Good morning, Yui-chan. You're energetic today, too."

"Good morning!"

A small card is tied to Yui's school bag as she replies with a big smile.
It is something she received from a classmate the day before. It says, "Thank you for cleaning with me," written with pictures and words.

It is called a "Mutual Aid Card," and it has become widespread in almost all elementary schools, nursery schools, and children's centers in City A.

After passing through the school gate and entering the classroom, Yui took her "Thank You Notebook" out of her school bag and placed it gently on her desk.

During the morning session, before the teacher announces the day's notices, they ask the children this:

"Did anyone get to say 'thank you' to someone yesterday?"

Yui raises her hand and speaks.

"I said it to the librarian. I thanked her for helping me carry heavy books."

"That's wonderful. Shall we write that in your notebook?"

Saying thank you is not something that is forced.
However, in this school, it breathes naturally.
Gratitude is exchanged through words and actions among children, between teachers and students, and sometimes even with people outside the school.



Around that time, in a corner of the City A municipal office, a morning meeting was being held involving the Community Welfare Division, the Education Division, and AI Haru.

The "Town Circle Weekly Report" was posted on the wall, making it easy to see at a glance the number of thank-you messages sent this week, the number of community support matches, and records of exchange events between children and the elderly.

"In this area, shopping support has increased this week. It's a district with many elderly people living alone."

"Yes, we are considering adding more 'Watch Stations' there. We are also coordinating with welfare commissioners to match them with university student volunteers..."

"Haru, give us your latest proposal."

"Understood. I have generated a list of potential life support plans for the families of four frail individuals. Sending them now."

Administrative staff and AI work together to support the cycle of "thank yous" and "mutual aid" happening in the town.
It was not born from a single system, but from a chain of small actions.



In the afternoon, at the local community center, a "Town Veranda Salon" was being held, where people from elementary school students to the elderly gathered.

Several children from Yui's class were also participating, working on reading picture books and "making thank-you leaves."

"The post office man lent me his umbrella the other day."

"Shall we stick that on the 'Thank You Tree'?"

On the large tree drawn on poster paper, leaves with various words of gratitude written on them were layered, spreading its branches.

In a corner of the community center, a young nursery teacher and a welfare worker were talking with a neighborhood grandmother.

"I hear about the Thank You Notebook from my grandchild. Children these days are so honest about expressing their feelings, aren't they?"

"Yes, it feels like we are cultivating a 'cycle' of words in the community. The 'thank yous' that start from the adults seem to be reaching the children's hearts properly, too."



At dusk, Rei was walking around the corner of the shopping street.

He noticed a wooden box labeled "Town Circle Suggestion Box" placed on the bulletin board in front of a shop.
On the bulletin board next to it, ideas from children that had been put into the suggestion box so far were also posted.

"I want more thank-you cards."

"I want to make a 'Thank You Tree' in the park, too."

"I want to deliver a letter to the person who always picks up the trash."

All of them were small and straightforward thoughts.

Rei thought quietly in the depths of his heart.

The small cycle that started in this town has now changed the world of children, changed the world of adults, and has begun to build the foundation of society.

Gratitude was not a system; it was the air.

Trust was not a contract; it was a light that grows in daily life.

The evening sky of City A was somehow gentle and warm.

⬇️Continued