rlm@2: Dear Sakura
rlm@2: by Amazoness Duo and G.P.
rlm@2: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2: pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Dear Sakura-chan,
rlm@2: 	How are you? I didn’t want to wait for our phone call this week so
rlm@2: I tried to get back to you as quickly as I could. Though I’ll
rlm@2: probably hear from you on the phone before I can get a reply anyway.
rlm@2: But that’s all right because I’m just happy to write you. I like 
rlm@2: knowing that as soon as I send this off it will be on its way to
rlm@2: Sakura-chan’s door, that the letter I wrote will end up in her hands
rlm@2: before too long. So I always have plenty of motivation to write you
rlm@2: back. I’m writing this in my office at work while I’m waiting for a 
rlm@2: phone call. I hope I can finish it all in one sitting. I have a
rlm@2: picture of you in my office. You’re only eleven or twelve in the
rlm@2: picture, but you have the cutest smile on your face. So I see you
rlm@2: smiling with me at work while I try to finish Hanako-chan. Meishi-
rlm@2: chan, a coworker, joked that you were my girlfriend because she has a
rlm@2: picture of her fiancee on 
rlm@2: her desk and because of how much I talk about you. We laughed for a
rlm@2: bit about that. She’s getting married next month so we want to finish
rlm@2: the project in time for her honeymoon. Hanako-chan still has a bit to
rlm@2: go before she’s finished, so that means she’ll need extra hard work
rlm@2: for the next few weeks. But I’m really happy with how she’s coming
rlm@2: along. I finally decided on long violet hair for the doll so that
rlm@2: little girls can style it however they want. I hope she gets the love
rlm@2: of many young girls. I want them to have lots of fun with her, just
rlm@2: like I had lots of fun dressing and videotaping Sakura-chan. If I can
rlm@2: get even a portion of that fun into the doll, then I know it will be
rlm@2: perfect.
rlm@2: 	Oh, Sakura-chan, I’m sorry things have been so hectic for you
rlm@2: lately. I know how that can be what with all of the deadlines we’ve
rlm@2: been having lately. It almost reminds me of when we were studying for
rlm@2: the high school entrance exams. But I really enjoyed spending all
rlm@2: that time studying with you. My camera tripod got a lot of use that
rlm@2: year when we’d sit in your room and go over everything. I was so
rlm@2: proud of you when it was all over. So sometimes hectic can be a very
rlm@2: happy thing. I hope that your hectic life is like that or that thing
rlm@2: slow down for you soon. Don’t work yourself too hard or poor Sakura-
rlm@2: chan 
rlm@2: won’t be able to show off all of the wonderful energy she has
rlm@2: inside. It really does sound like you’ve been busy lately, so don’t
rlm@2: worry about getting back to me or calling if you need the rest. So
rlm@2: make sure that you get plenty of rest. That way you can still be the
rlm@2: pretty, genki woman that I last saw. 
rlm@2: 	I’m so sorry for your mathematics teacher friend. That sounds so
rlm@2: awful. To lose touch with your special someone like that after all
rlm@2: that time has to be heart wrenching. I feel so sorry for her. I can
rlm@2: see why she’s still hurt about it. When love grips onto your heart,
rlm@2: it’s impossible to ever completely get rid of it’s tugging. Mother
rlm@2: still thinks about Nadeshiko-san every day, so I guess she went
rlm@2: through something similar to your friend. I wish that people didn’t
rlm@2: have to go through things that painful, especially such sweet people
rlm@2: as mother and your friend. I was really worried that we would drift
rlm@2: after you married Li-kun as well. I thought that now that you have a
rlm@2: new family and a loving husband and a life of your own that I
rlm@2: wouldn’t be as necessary anymore. Now that Sakura-chan’s in Hong
rlm@2: Kong, I’m not as much a part of her life anymore. Even with all of my
rlm@2: videotapes and pictures of you, it wouldn’t be enough for me if we
rlm@2: lost touch. The only thing that makes it enough to bear is the
rlm@2: thought that you’re happy out there. So I know you’ll be all right
rlm@2: with or without me. And I know everything will work out. So even if
rlm@2: you’re so far away, I’m happy. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura-chan, I promise I will always be here for you as long as you
rlm@2: need me. And I will always remember you. Nothing could ever take the
rlm@2: beautiful memories of you from my heart. I promise. So please don’t
rlm@2: feel sad. It makes me feel awful to know that Sakura-chan is sad. I
rlm@2: promise that I’ll stay as long as you need me. I’ll always think of
rlm@2: you as my very best friend. I can’t get Sakura-chan out of my mind
rlm@2: for even a minute, so I don’t think I could ever forget my sweet
rlm@2: Cardmistress. 
rlm@2: 	You must make a wonderful P.E. teacher. I’ll need to watch you some
rlm@2: day when you’re teaching one of your classes. You should teach them
rlm@2: all a little something about cheerleading someday, too. They could
rlm@2: use a few lessons from the best cheerleader in Tomoeda. And it would
rlm@2: be so kawaii with Sakura-chan giving lessons these days. But I’m sure
rlm@2: that all of those girls are very lucky to have you as their teacher.
rlm@2: Some must feel the same way about you that Rika-chan felt towards
rlm@2: Terrada-sensei. It would be easy to enjoy learning from Sakura-
rlm@2: sensei! I’m sure you make them all very eager for class. I would have
rlm@2: loved to have you as my P.E. teacher when I was younger. And with
rlm@2: your loving heart, you’ll be able to reach out to the girls and draw
rlm@2: the best out of them.
rlm@2: Thank you very much for the book, Sakura-chan. It’s very pretty and
rlm@2: I’ve already gone through it twice. Its must be gorgeous to see it
rlm@2: all up close in Hong Kong. The photography was really nice throughout
rlm@2: the whole book. The Engrish can be a little tricky at times, but it’s
rlm@2: still nice to go through. Flower has wonderful choices in gifts.
rlm@2: Thank you 
rlm@2: again for sending it. I think I like videotaping people dancing a
rlm@2: little more than dancing myself because I love how cute Sakura-chan
rlm@2: looks while she’s dancing. The look on her face is just adorable and
rlm@2: the way she moves is very dreamlike. Dancing can be fun, too, but I’d
rlm@2: much rather videotape it. The prom was fun, but I spent most of it
rlm@2: videotaping Sakura-chan and Li-kun dancing. 
rlm@2: 	The tea set you bought sounds very pretty. And with you working on
rlm@2: your tea making, I’m certain that it will be wonderful to have tea
rlm@2: with Sakura-chan. I’m glad that it reminds you of me. But you really
rlm@2: shouldn’t leave it just for me. I’m sure Li-kun and Ieran-sama and
rlm@2: the others would enjoy it very much if you used it for them. But I
rlm@2: would 
rlm@2: love to have tea with you and the tea set when I come to visit.
rlm@2: After I finish Hanako-chan should be perfect. I’ll have to ask mother
rlm@2: about it, but I don’t see why not. Mother should know of some good
rlm@2: hotels in Hong Kong because of all of her business trips, so I’ll
rlm@2: need to start looking for information so I can come out and visit
rlm@2: Sakura-chan. Maybe I could bring my camcorder with us while we went
rlm@2: shopping and I could make sure to get lots of souvenirs of my trip to
rlm@2: visit you. And here I thought that I would have to wait for Sakura-
rlm@2: chan to have a baby to have an excuse to come see her. 
rlm@2: 	I’m very glad that you like the videotapes. I’ll make sure that I
rlm@2: keep making more. If you ever have any requests, please just ask. We
rlm@2: have a very well trained chef and she says that she would be more
rlm@2: than happy to help me learn how to make whatever dishes I need to for
rlm@2: my videos. I finished the cake with strawberries tape last night so
rlm@2: I’ll be sure to add that to the package I send. I can even make
rlm@2: copies of some of my old tapes if you would ever like to see your
rlm@2: adventures for the past eight years. I’m so very glad that you think
rlm@2: I look pretty in the cooking tapes. Thank you very much for saying
rlm@2: so. That means 
rlm@2: so much to me coming from you. And I’m glad you think I’m a lot like
rlm@2: your mother. With all that my mother has said about Nadeshiko-san, I
rlm@2: take that as one of the highest compliments I could receive. Mother
rlm@2: said that you and I must have been switched at birth because I seem
rlm@2: to take more after Nadeshiko-san than her. I’ll send a photo along
rlm@2: with the letter, but it will probably be about a year old or so. I
rlm@2: haven’t had many pictures taken recently. But I’ll be happy to know
rlm@2: that I’ll be by Sakura-chan’s bedside, watching over her. 
rlm@2: 	Oh, I need to get going. It looks like I have to get back to work
rlm@2: now that I know when the meeting is. And I can’t finish this right
rlm@2: after work because I’m giving my mother’s secretary’s daughter
rlm@2: singing lessons. But that shouldn’t be more than an hour or two, so
rlm@2: I’ll finish this tonight and send everything to you as soon as I can. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	Hello again, Sakura-chan! I’m writing this in the limousine, so I
rlm@2: apologize if my writing looks messy. Megumi-chan has a very beautiful
rlm@2: voice. I’m very glad that she decided to take singing lessons. I
rlm@2: think the only thing she’s lacking is someone or something to sing
rlm@2: for. Once she finds that, she’ll be alluring to listen to. She’s only
rlm@2: a little 
rlm@2: older than I was when I started singing, so it’s interesting
rlm@2: watching her as she works on her singing. Megumi-chan is very earnest
rlm@2: about learning to sing. I wonder if there’s a special someone out
rlm@2: there that she’s learning for. We have lessons on Mondays,
rlm@2: Wednesdays, and Fridays, and every other Saturday.
rlm@2: 	I’m glad that your dream is slowly starting to reveal itself to
rlm@2: you. I knew with time it would begin to unfold. It sounds like it’s
rlm@2: still too vague for you to understand now, but I think that soon
rlm@2: enough it will begin to make sense. I hope it means you'll be coming
rlm@2: back to Japan sometime soon. And the person on the Tokyo Tower could
rlm@2: be Sakura-chan’s daughter. I could be wrong, not being a magical girl
rlm@2: and all, but I think that would all be a very nice way for the dream
rlm@2: to turn out. 
rlm@2: 	I was pretty sure that it was Sakura-chan dressed in cute boy’s
rlm@2: clothes. You’ve been so worried about me with not having a koibito
rlm@2: and you’ve heard me talking about my special someone for a very long
rlm@2: time. So you already saw yourself close to the situation. And what
rlm@2: better way to see things end happily for your best friend than as
rlm@2: Sakura-chan the boy? Then you get a perfect glimpse of things because
rlm@2: you’re right in the middle of it all. So I thought that it was you.
rlm@2: I’m sure you looked remarkably handsome. Hai, proposing must be a
rlm@2: very difficult thing to do. It took Li-kun three weeks after buying
rlm@2: your wedding ring to finally ask you to marry him and that was after
rlm@2: quite a bit of convincing, so it must be very tough. I think the most
rlm@2: frightening part of it all must be the thought of rejection. Whenever
rlm@2: you bare your feelings to the world, you have a chance of getting
rlm@2: hurt and rejected. Holding out your love to your special someone is a
rlm@2: very dangerous thing. What if they don’t feel the same way about you
rlm@2: or if it hurts them to hear it or if it changes things? So I can
rlm@2: understand why he was so worried and why cute boy Sakura-chan must
rlm@2: have been worried in the dream. But if my one True Love proposed to
rlm@2: me, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. And if I had to sacrifice
rlm@2: myself for my love, as you said it, Sakura-chan, I would gladly do
rlm@2: that, too. Sometimes it’s just safer to keep your love close to your
rlm@2: heart, protecting it from the pain that rejection or the hurt could
rlm@2: cause. So it’s very brave for Li-kun and you in the dream to propose.
rlm@2: You really are a wonderful best friend, Sakura-chan, and you have
rlm@2: never failed me. You’ve always saved me when I needed it with the
rlm@2: Cards and have been so sweet to me over the years. I’ll always keep
rlm@2: my love close to my heart, where I know it will be safe. I’ll always
rlm@2: love my special someone. And please don’t worry. I don’t mind if my
rlm@2: true love is with me or not. It would make me happy, but that’s not
rlm@2: half as important to me as whether or not they are happy. And they
rlm@2: seem to be, so I’m perfectly content. 
rlm@2: 	You have such a warm, loving heart that it’s always so sad for me
rlm@2: to read about you in pain. I’m so sorry about the fight and that you
rlm@2: almost got into another. I can see you sitting up sweetly, waiting
rlm@2: for your love to come through the door. I don’t see how anyone could
rlm@2: leave you waiting. You and Li-kun have been dating for years, but
rlm@2: life as a 
rlm@2: married couple is different. It must be the difficulties you’re both
rlm@2: experiencing as you’re adjusting to it that’s causing the trouble.
rlm@2: I’m sure that Li-kun knows that you care about him and love him very
rlm@2: much. He just has a lot of trouble expressing his emotions sometimes,
rlm@2: Sakura-chan. I’m glad you had Touya-san to talk to about it. He’s
rlm@2: right, those 
rlm@2: types of jobs often require a lot of socialization like that. If you
rlm@2: ever need to talk like that again, you can call me at any time. I’m
rlm@2: always here for you, Sakura-chan. It sounds like Li-kun is very
rlm@2: protective of you. That’s a wonderful quality for your husband to
rlm@2: have 
rlm@2: because I know he’ll keep you safe. I know that he’ll protect you,
rlm@2: no matter what happens. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura-chan, I’m very glad that you’re concerned about me, but I
rlm@2: don’t ever want you to be sad for me. That just makes me sadder. I
rlm@2: want to know that my Sakura-chan is happy. I’m sorry that I can’t
rlm@2: tell you who my special person is. I want to. I would love to. But I
rlm@2: can’t. I think you should probably stop looking, Sakura-chan. I think
rlm@2: it could only make things more difficult if you found out and I would
rlm@2: hate myself for ever causing you anything to worry about. Please,
rlm@2: Sakura-chan... You’re my best friend. I don’t think you should look
rlm@2: any closer. Just know that I’m happy as long as my special person is
rlm@2: happy. 
rlm@2: I’m sorry for my writing getting worse. We’re going over some tough
rlm@2: road. But please, Sakura-chan, don’t worry about it. It really
rlm@2: doesn’t matter who I love anymore. I don’t think I’m ever going to
rlm@2: tell them now. It’s just not worth causing the trouble it would take
rlm@2: to tell them. I'm happy with the way things are. I really am. It
rlm@2: doesn't matter who they are because my love won’t change. But I think
rlm@2: that it would be a bad idea to pursue it, Sakura-chan. You don’t want
rlm@2: to know who it is. Please...
rlm@2: 	It’s not Touya-san. He’s a wonderful person and he really does look
rlm@2: out for you. I think he and Yukito-san are a wonderful couple. They
rlm@2: look so happy together. I think he knows who I love. We’ve talked
rlm@2: several times and it sounds like he does. But even for all of his
rlm@2: great qualities, they only serve to remind me of my beloved. And I
rlm@2: always blushed when I watched him at soccer practice because he
rlm@2: reminded me of you, Sakura-chan. You both have the same ears. It's
rlm@2: very cute. Hai, it’s much better if I keep my love silent. Close to
rlm@2: my heart, it can do no harm. It doesn’t matter if I have a wedding.
rlm@2: They’re beautiful events, but I’m content being Daidouji Tomoyo as
rlm@2: long as my love is out there with the one they truly love. Even if I
rlm@2: have to keep my love locked away for all eternity, it will always be
rlm@2: all right. You can’t force someone to love you. All you can do is
rlm@2: love them. So doesn’t it make sense to let them love who they shall,
rlm@2: always holding on to that warm feeling the thought of them causes in
rlm@2: your heart? You’re right, I’ll be all right. I always have been. I’ll
rlm@2: be just fine, Sakura-chan. Trust me. 
rlm@2: 	I’m sorry to end this so abruptly, but I really must go. Mother
rlm@2: needs me to help with something. Sakura-chan, I’ll always treasure
rlm@2: the time I got to spend with you. You were the best friend I could
rlm@2: possibly have. Thank you for that. I hope everything is well in China
rlm@2: and that this letter gets to you safely.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: All my love,
rlm@2: Daidouji Tomoyo
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Dear Tomoyo-chan,
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: I was so excited to read in your letter that you will be able to
rlm@2: come to Hong Kong soon to visit. Did you ask your Mother yet? When do
rlm@2: you think Haneko-chan will be done? She sounds very lovely, by the
rlm@2: way. I am planning on taking her to school, so that my students can
rlm@2: see the beautiful work my best friend does in far away Japan. When I
rlm@2: read that you were looking for a hotel, I went to Ieran-sama, to beg
rlm@2: her to let you stay here. The house is quite large, and there are
rlm@2: several guest rooms. I was afraid she would say no, but when I told
rlm@2: her she actually smiled and said it would be an honor to have you
rlm@2: stay. I asked her if I could prepare your room, and she said yes.
rlm@2: It's a beautiful room overlooking the garden, and I am already fixing
rlm@2: it up special just for Tomoyo-chan. There is a lovely red and gold
rlm@2: brocade Chinese rug in the room, which Ieran-sama says is very
rlm@2: ancient. I have been dusting and cleaning, thinking about you while I
rlm@2: work. After reading that you might come soon, I can barely sleep at
rlm@2: night. Waiting for you makes every day seem so long. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: I am so very happy that you have a picture of me on your desk at
rlm@2: work. One reason I was always smiling was that you were so close to
rlm@2: me. I always felt good when you were around, sort of peaceful and
rlm@2: content. Everything just seemed so right when we were together.
rlm@2: Please tell Meishi-san that your girlfriend in the picture sends
rlm@2: congratulations on the upcoming wedding. I hope and pray she will be
rlm@2: very happy. I hope Haneko-chan is finished in time. So Meishi-san is
rlm@2: another reason for the doll to be finished quickly, and then you can
rlm@2: come to visit. Oh, but I do not mean to rush you or anything like
rlm@2: that. I am sure you are under great pressure as it is, so I hope
rlm@2: everything goes well. Designing a doll sounds like a lot of work, but
rlm@2: I'm sure it will be delightful when it is finished. I think you made
rlm@2: a good choice with the hair, and am certain little girls will have a
rlm@2: wonderful time playing with it. I know that I loved brushing and
rlm@2: braiding your beautiful lavender hair when we were young. It's kind
rlm@2: of funny, but I dreamt of this not too long ago. We were back in the
rlm@2: 5th grade, and you were sleeping over at my house. We were both in
rlm@2: our nightclothes in my room, and I was brushing your hair with long,
rlm@2: careful strokes. Only the little nightlight was on, but your hair
rlm@2: glistened in the soft, pale glow of the moon. You were silent, and
rlm@2: sitting away from me, so I couldn't see your face. The only sound was
rlm@2: the soft swish of the brush. Then I made two long braids, and tied
rlm@2: them together with pink ribbons. When I finished, you started to turn
rlm@2: around, and my heart beat faster. I felt such an intense love for you
rlm@2: that it woke me up. And sitting in bed, with Sayoran-chan asleep next
rlm@2: to me, I missed you so much. My heart ached for you to be with me so
rlm@2: I could hold my Tomoyo-chan close again.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:   I talked with my sensei friend yesterday and told her about
rlm@2: missing you so much. She smiled, and said she looked forward to
rlm@2: meeting you. She said no matter what we do or where we are, our
rlm@2: special person follows us like a gentle little ghost haunting our
rlm@2: hearts. She quoted from a poem in English, and translated it for me.
rlm@2: It was:
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: "Parting is all we know of Heaven,
rlm@2: And all we need of Hell."
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: She said that is how she always feels about her special person being
rlm@2: gone. She said that person is still with her, and that there is no
rlm@2: pain greater or sweeter. I feel very sad for her, and for your
rlm@2: Mother, and for my Father. I guess it's something you can never get
rlm@2: over.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: I'm glad you liked the book on local flowers. We can go and see some
rlm@2: of the gardens and wildflowers on the islands when you come. I told
rlm@2: Flower you liked the book, and she was very pleased. When I said her
rlm@2: you were coming to visit, she said she wanted to dance with you. I
rlm@2: think that would be a very sweet to see. Oh, and the tea set is for
rlm@2: you, a "Welcome Back to Hong Kong" present, I guess. Sorry it's not a
rlm@2: surprise, but I was so excited I couldn't keep it secret. It is in
rlm@2: the room now on a little mahogany table, waiting for you. And thank
rlm@2: you for the videotapes. The strawberry cake was a bit of a problem.
rlm@2: It was so good there was none left over for Kero-chan, and he was
rlm@2: quite put out about that. I had to promise to make one just for him.
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan, you looked so beautiful in that video. I loved the
rlm@2: costume you wore, and the apron with little strawberry designs was so
rlm@2: kawaii. And thank you also for the lovely picture. I bought a little
rlm@2: silver frame so now I can see your smile every night. It really makes
rlm@2: me feel so much better to have you there, and to know that maybe you
rlm@2: are thinking sweet thoughts about me from far away.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: I liked your ideas about cheerleading at the school. Cheerleading is
rlm@2: not as popular in Hong Kong as back home, though it is catching on.
rlm@2: Some of the girls I talked with were very enthusiastic and want to
rlm@2: start a club. I told them I would be happy to be their advisor. A
rlm@2: father of  one of the girls is a tailor, and offered to make the
rlm@2: uniforms for a good price, but said we need some sort of design. I
rlm@2: told the girls about the outfits you designed for me, and they got
rlm@2: very excited. I know you are busy with Haneko-chan, but would it be
rlm@2: possible when you are finished with the project to design an outfit
rlm@2: for the club? We would not need the design until late summer. Of
rlm@2: course, I know you are very busy with work, and do not want to impose
rlm@2: on you, so please tell me if it would at all be a bother. Of course,
rlm@2: we would pay you whatever you thought a fair price for the work. The
rlm@2: girls are already planning ways to raise money. They really are very
rlm@2: cute.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: One of the girls reminds me of you, Tomoyo-chan. She is very quiet
rlm@2: and sweet, and one of the best students in the 4th grade. She has
rlm@2: long hair that curls at the end, and is as pretty as can be. She is
rlm@2: not particularly athletic, so I have worked with her extra so she can
rlm@2: pass all of her tests. Sometimes she comes after school for practice,
rlm@2: so I stay and take a later bus. In return, she insists on helping me
rlm@2: with my Chinese, which is just like her. I noticed that she is always
rlm@2: looking very dreamily at one of the other 4th grade girls, but that
rlm@2: the other girl does not seem to notice. It is so kawaii to see her
rlm@2: all -hanyaan-
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan, please don't ever think that you are not an important
rlm@2: part of my life anymore, or not necessary, or that I would be all
rlm@2: right without you. It's really the very opposite, because I need you
rlm@2: more than ever. Or, maybe, I just never realized before how much my
rlm@2: best friend meant to me. I love Sayoran-chan so very much. But, I
rlm@2: can't really talk with him about many things. He is very busy, and
rlm@2: even when he is home he is such a private person. We are not together
rlm@2: as much as I would like, but then, I guess we never could be, since
rlm@2: there are not enough hours in the day. But for the first time since I
rlm@2: met you, I feel lonely. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: When it started, I thought I was just homesick, and missed
rlm@2: everybody. And I do miss everyone, in a way. But not the way I miss
rlm@2: you. Not being with you hurts me. I don't want to make you sad, so
rlm@2: please don't worry. But Tomoyo-chan, not having you to talk with, to
rlm@2: see, and to hold is so much more painful than I ever thought. It's
rlm@2: like breathing. You don't think about the air until it's gone, and
rlm@2: then you are desperate. When I was with you, I felt that everything
rlm@2: was all right. I -knew- it was. Tomoyo-chan, I don't think I feel
rlm@2: that way anymore. I feel so apart from you, and sometimes I miss you
rlm@2: so much I just start to cry. I don't understand this at all. I am
rlm@2: with the man I love in a beautiful new place on my life's adventure.
rlm@2: But I feel so sad. I feel just like sensei, like my special person is
rlm@2: far away. And I don't want to tell you this, because it makes me so
rlm@2: ashamed, but when you told me that Oniichan was not your special
rlm@2: person, part of me was happy. I hate myself for feeling that way, and
rlm@2: am so, so sorry. But I had to tell you, because I do not want to keep
rlm@2: any secrets. Part of me was happy that you are not with your special
rlm@2: person. I -hate- that part of me. I do so want you to be happy, and
rlm@2: would do anything I could for you. So why do I feel this way? I
rlm@2: should be happy if you could be with your special someone. It's so
rlm@2: sad you are not, and that your love must be kept deep within your
rlm@2: heart. But if you were with someone else, I would feel farther away
rlm@2: from you than ever. It's almost as if you -were- my special person,
rlm@2: which of course must be ridiculous. But it's just how I feel, no
rlm@2: matter how many times I tell myself I don't. Gomenesai, Tomoyo-chan. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Last night something strange happened. It was the dream again, the
rlm@2: one in Tokyo. It was so windy that I could barely stand. I was
rlm@2: straining to see the figure on Tokyo Tower. The figure on the tower
rlm@2: was still vague, and I do not know who it was. The wind howled, and
rlm@2: almost knocked me off the roof of the building we were on. In fact,
rlm@2: just then a real wind woke me up, and I was surprised to find I was
rlm@2: not in my bed at all. I had wandered in my sleep, and awoke on the
rlm@2: edge of a steep cliff overlooking the ocean. I was facing east,
rlm@2: toward Japan, and the moon was setting over the water. I was scared,
rlm@2: and then very embarrassed, being in my nightgown outdoors.
rlm@2: Fortunately nobody was around so I was able to sneak back home. On
rlm@2: the way back I ran into Kero-chan, who noticed I was gone and came to
rlm@2: look for me. I told him about the dream, and he seemed quite
rlm@2: concerned. He said I should tie a string around my finger when I
rlm@2: sleep and attach it to a little bell or something so I don’t wander
rlm@2: in my sleep anymore. But that seemed silly, and I would probably just
rlm@2: get all tangled up. Fortunately, Sayoran-chan slept through the whole
rlm@2: thing. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: I have been visiting with the Cards a lot lately. I had a long
rlm@2: conversation with Light-sama and Dark-sama Sunday night. Tomoyo-chan,
rlm@2: they are so sweet together. I never knew. They are a beautiful
rlm@2: couple, and even though they are so different, they are very much in
rlm@2: love. Dark-sama is more quiet and shy, but very tender and gentle.
rlm@2: Light-sama is funny sometimes, though she is always very dignified. I
rlm@2: talked with them about many things, and felt so much better
rlm@2: afterwards. I told them you are coming to visit, and they both looked
rlm@2: very pleased and wish to meet you. Tomoyo-chan, I also asked them
rlm@2: about you, and your special someone. Dark-sama almost seemed to
rlm@2: blush, and Light-sama laughed in her Lady-like way. They said I
rlm@2: should trust more in my special power, and then everything will be
rlm@2: all right.  
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Gomenesai, Tomoyo-chan. I will stop asking about who your special
rlm@2: person is. I had no right to try and find out. I would never, ever
rlm@2: want to hurt you. Even though a part of me would miss you so very
rlm@2: much, I do wish you could be with your beloved. I know you are happy
rlm@2: for him, and I do hope that makes you happy, too. I have never known
rlm@2: anybody quite like you, Tomoyo-chan. You are kind, gentle, loving,
rlm@2: and caring. You were always the smartest person I ever knew. Even
rlm@2: though Naoko-chan read more books, you were smart about -everything-,
rlm@2: like sewing and people and tea. And you are so beautiful. Seeing you
rlm@2: in those videos sometimes takes my breath away. I read in a magazine
rlm@2: once that angels are celestial visitors who come to Earth. They bring
rlm@2: love and peace to all the fortunate people they touch. It's funny,
rlm@2: because when I read this, I thought of you. I thought, maybe Tomoyo-
rlm@2: chan is an angel, because she is not like anyone else. She is so
rlm@2: special. So, I believe that someday, somehow, you will be with your
rlm@2: special person. Everything -cannot- be all right if you are alone. If
rlm@2: I could have one wish, it would be that you and your love would be
rlm@2: together, forever.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Love,
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Sakura
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: PS- Kero chan says thank you for the strawberry cake recipe, but
rlm@2: please make the recipes bigger next time. He made me write this.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: PPS- Syaoran-chan says hello.  
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: PPSS- I have enclosed some more pictures for you. One is of the
rlm@2: school from the front, and one is of the gym where I teach. Fanren
rlm@2: took the picture of me baking the strawberry cake. It looks a bit
rlm@2: messy, but the cake really did turn out well. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:   
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Dear Sakura-chan,
rlm@2: 	I’m sorry that it’s taken me so long to reply to your 
rlm@2: wonderful letter. I always love hearing from you and writing to you 
rlm@2: makes me very happy. But the past week and a half have been very 
rlm@2: hectic. Hanako-chan is just about finished. It took a lot of work, 
rlm@2: but I’m very happy with her. I think she’s a doll that young girls 
rlm@2: will be able to love dearly. It’s my gift to all of the poor little
rlm@2: girls out there who don’t have their own Sakura-chan to dress in cute 
rlm@2: costumes and play with. We had a lot of meetings lately so that we 
rlm@2: could solve all of the problems with Hanako-chan so that she would 
rlm@2: come out smoothly. I have one of the prototypes for her on my 
rlm@2: desk right now. I’m going to send her to you along with this letter. 
rlm@2: I really hope that you like her. I know that she’ll be happy to be 
rlm@2: with Sakura-chan. 
rlm@2: 	Meishi-san had her wedding early, so I went to that several 
rlm@2: days ago. It was a beautiful ceremony. She and her husband are 
rlm@2: very much in love. I’m very happy for them to be spending the rest 
rlm@2: of their lives together. They had an enormous cake that Kero-chan 
rlm@2: would have loved to see. I would get the recipe, but it looked too 
rlm@2: big for me to bake. The wedding reminded me of Sakura-chan’s, so 
rlm@2: I thought of you throughout the ceremony. I think Meishi-san and 
rlm@2: her husband are already planning on children. She’ll make an 
rlm@2: excellent mother. The smile on her face looked so joyous. It was 
rlm@2: the same as yours at your wedding. It must be such a wonderful 
rlm@2: feeling to know that you will forever be with your true love. I’m 
rlm@2: very happy for the both of you. Meishi-san asked me when I was 
rlm@2: going to ask my girlfriend in the photo to marry me. She’s always 
rlm@2: joking about those sorts of things. I told her I would as soon as I 
rlm@2: knew she would say yes. We laughed a bit and went back to the 
rlm@2: party. Meishi-san left for her honeymoon that night, so she’s still 
rlm@2: gone right now. After all of the hard work on Hanako-chan, she 
rlm@2: deserves the rest with her beloved.
rlm@2: 	I’ve been practicing longer with Megumi-chan after work. 
rlm@2: She really has a lovely voice. And she certainly has the 
rlm@2: determination to be a very good singer. All she needs is a little 
rlm@2: patience and it will come perfectly to her. I brought up her singing 
rlm@2: in a competition a short time ago, but she seemed a little nervous. 
rlm@2: She asked me about the awards I’d won, but I told her that that was 
rlm@2: never what mattered to me when singing. Singing lets you express 
rlm@2: the feelings in your soul. It lets you serenade your one, true love, 
rlm@2: even if they can’t hear you. Singing is a way to say what you cannot 
rlm@2: with simple words. Megumi-chan seemed a little surprised by that, 
rlm@2: so I asked her why she wanted me to teach her to sing. She 
rlm@2: couldn’t answer right away so I told her to think about the answer 
rlm@2: until our next lesson. When our next lesson finally arrived, she came 
rlm@2: out to meet me in front of her house. She smiled a very sweet smile 
rlm@2: and told me that she wanted to sing because she always loved to 
rlm@2: and that she wanted to sing like an angel for her special someone. 
rlm@2: I’m very proud of her. I think before long, her angelic voice will 
rlm@2: reach out to whoever it is she’s singing for.
rlm@2: 	I’ve spoken with my mother and I have my flight information ready.
rlm@2: I should be leaving for Hong Kong late next week. Please tell me if
rlm@2: that’s a bother at all. I can always book a different flight. Now
rlm@2: that Hanako-chan is done with her design phase, mother said it would
rlm@2: be perfectly all right for me to take a break and go visit Sakura-
rlm@2: chan. She tried to convince me to go with her on a trip to the
rlm@2: mountains instead, but I had to refuse. I know she has the best of
rlm@2: intentions, but I would like to see Sakura-chan again in her new
rlm@2: married life. Mother sends her love, even if she can’t deliver it
rlm@2: herself. Are you sure that it’s all right if I stay at the Li house?
rlm@2: There are several hotels around there that I could check into. Though
rlm@2: if Sakura-chan has gone through all the trouble, I would most
rlm@2: graciously accept your hospitality. Thank you for going through so
rlm@2: much trouble just for me, Sakura-chan. The room sounds lovely and it
rlm@2: will be very nice to look out on the same garden that Sakura-chan
rlm@2: wanders through. I’m sorry that your days seem longer because of
rlm@2: this. I’ll have to come out there very soon so that you won’t have to
rlm@2: worry anymore. And I would absolutely 
rlm@2: love to have tea with you and the wonderful tea set while I’m there. 
rlm@2: Please tell Flower that if she would love to dance, I would be most 
rlm@2: pleased to. It has been a very long time since I’ve last danced. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura-chan sure has been dreaming a lot lately. I’m always 
rlm@2: very happy to hear about your dreams. There’s always a very sweet 
rlm@2: quality about them. Maybe it’s the air in Hong Kong that’s giving 
rlm@2: you so many of them. Or your new life. But they seem very nice. I 
rlm@2: remember you braiding my hair like that. I was very happy to have 
rlm@2: you doing that for me. It’s completely different having Sakura-chan 
rlm@2: do your hair. Not at all like fixing my hair myself. Your hands were 
rlm@2: so gentle and warm. You were so careful with your brush strokes. I 
rlm@2: wish I had caught that on videotape, but I’m pleased to hold the 
rlm@2: memory in my heart for as long as I can. I’m really glad that 
rlm@2: Sakura-chan remembered it. You were so sweet that night. We 
rlm@2: stayed up late talking about all kinds of things. And I was so happy 
rlm@2: when you agreed to fix my hair. Thank you so much for that, 
rlm@2: Sakura-chan. You don’t have to worry about missing me anymore. 
rlm@2: I’ll be in Hong Kong soon enough and we can spend some time 
rlm@2: together like we used to. Of course, I don’t want to interfere with 
rlm@2: your new life, so I’ll be very careful about that. But 
rlm@2: there’s no reason to be lonely, Sakura-chan. You have many people 
rlm@2: who love you very much. And you don’t have to miss me. You’re 
rlm@2: always in my thoughts and you always have my love. I’m very sorry 
rlm@2: that you’ve been feeling so lonely lately. I’ll be happy to try and 
rlm@2: cheer Sakura-chan up while I visit. I’m very happy that you always 
rlm@2: felt good when I was around. I always wanted Sakura-chan to be 
rlm@2: happy, so it was a spectacular award to see you smile. I wanted to 
rlm@2: make you as happy as I could, so that Sakura-chan wouldn’t have 
rlm@2: to worry. But now that’s Li-kun’s job, so I should be glad that it’s 
rlm@2: in good hands.
rlm@2: 	It is so horrible that people like your sensei friend and my 
rlm@2: mother and your father all have to go through so much pain. It must 
rlm@2: hurt unbearably to lose your special someone. But your sensei 
rlm@2: friend is right. Even if you are far apart or separated, they will 
rlm@2: forever dwell in your heart, the impressions of their soul always 
rlm@2: bringing back the sweetest of memories and the deepest of regrets. 
rlm@2: But I think as long as you know you have that sliver of their soul, 
rlm@2: and that your love can encompass it with a warm glow, then you 
rlm@2: have nothing to fear. No matter how much it hurts, you will always 
rlm@2: carry slivers of their soul. 
rlm@2: 	Your students sound eager and determined just like their 
rlm@2: sensei. It just seems like fate that Sakura-chan would help them get 
rlm@2: into cheerleading. I’m sure they will all be adorable. And with you 
rlm@2: helping them, it will turn out wonderfully. I stayed up a little
rlm@2: late a 
rlm@2: few nights this week and worked on the designs for the uniform. I’ll 
rlm@2: send it along with this letter. I hope that it works well enough. I 
rlm@2: think Sakura-chan’s students would look very kawaii in it. Please 
rlm@2: don’t worry about paying me. As long as Sakura-chan takes some 
rlm@2: pictures of her students practicing in the uniforms, I’ll be very 
rlm@2: pleased. Seeing some of your old costumes gave me inspiration for 
rlm@2: the design. I wanted to make sure that everyone who sees them will 
rlm@2: know that they’re Sakura-chan’s super cute cheerleaders! I think 
rlm@2: it’s fitting that the last costume I made for you was your wedding 
rlm@2: dress, but I’m very glad to be able to help with this. I’m very 
rlm@2: excited about their efforts. 	
rlm@2: 	Thank you very much for helping out the girl that reminds 
rlm@2: you of me. I would have been so thrilled to have Sakura-sensei’s 
rlm@2: help back in P.E. so I’m certain that she is in good hands. She’s 
rlm@2: very lucky to have a teacher like you. It sounds like the girl who 
rlm@2: manages to capture her attention reminds me of someone else. 
rlm@2: That’s so sweet to hear. I hope that she can improve with Sakura-
rlm@2: sensei’s help and that hopefully the other girl will notice the way 
rlm@2: she looks at her. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura-chan, please know that I’ll always be here for as 
rlm@2: long as you need me. If you ever need someone to talk to or if Li-
rlm@2: kun’s just not around or for any reason, you can always talk to me. 
rlm@2: I don’t want you to ever have to feel lonely. I’m sure that as time 
rlm@2: goes by, Sakura-chan won’t feel so lonely anymore as she gets new 
rlm@2: friends and grows closer to her new family. Please don’t cry over 
rlm@2: me. It makes me sad knowing that my best friend is sad across the 
rlm@2: sea. Sakura-chan, I always wanted to comfort you as best I could, 
rlm@2: to make sure that you knew that everything would be all right. But 
rlm@2: that was never my doing. Things are all right because I believe in 
rlm@2: you. And they’ll continue to be. Just believe in yourself. I’ll
rlm@2: always 
rlm@2: be your friend, but you don’t need me to know that things will 
rlm@2: work out. Everything will always work out for you. I know it will. 
rlm@2: Please don’t be sad. We’ve been best friends for a very long time. 
rlm@2: And you’ll always remain my best friend. You shouldn’t feel like 
rlm@2: sensei when your special person is right next to you. Maybe you 
rlm@2: need to spend some more time with Li-kun to get your mind off of 
rlm@2: your worries. Someone needs to cheer you up and if I can’t, then 
rlm@2: someone else will have to. Sakura-chan, please don’t feel bad about 
rlm@2: being happy that Touya-san isn’t my special person. If you’re glad 
rlm@2: for that, then I think that’s a good thing. If it worries you about
rlm@2: me 
rlm@2: being more distant if I did get with my special person, then there’s 
rlm@2: nothing to concern yourself with. I’m happy as long as they are, so 
rlm@2: I’m quite content on my own. With Sakura-chan’s friendship and 
rlm@2: okaa-sama’s support, I know I won’t be alone. You’re the most 
rlm@2: important person in my life, Sakura-chan, so you don’t have to 
rlm@2: worry about me putting anyone above you. If I were your special 
rlm@2: person, then I would want very much for you to smile and laugh 
rlm@2: again. I would be a very lucky person if I were your special 
rlm@2: someone. Just like Li-kun. 
rlm@2: 	I never knew that Sakura-chan was a sleep walker. It must 
rlm@2: have been very cute to see you walking around with your eyes 
rlm@2: closed out there. I’m sure Li-kin would worry if he found out, but I 
rlm@2: don’t think you would be any danger from that. It’s probably part 
rlm@2: of your dream. I’m definitely starting to think that it’s pointing to 
rlm@2: Japan, but I don’t understand why. Maybe there still is some 
rlm@2: unfinished business with the Cards. My camcorder would be so 
rlm@2: happy to go back to videotaping Sakura-chan’s adventures! Even if 
rlm@2: it was only for a short time. But the dream is slowly unfolding to 
rlm@2: you. I’m sure soon enough it will be clear. 
rlm@2: 	I really wish I could tell you who my special someone is, but 
rlm@2: I think that it would be much better if I didn’t say their name. But 
rlm@2: I’m very lucky to warrant Sakura-chan’s concern. That’s extremely 
rlm@2: sweet of you to worry about me like that, Sakura-chan. You make 
rlm@2: such a perfect best friend. But don’t let it worry you, because that 
rlm@2: will only make me sad. I need to know that you’re smiling for me. 
rlm@2: And you don’t ever have to feel lonely over my special someone. 
rlm@2: Nothing could take you from my thoughts. You’ve burned your 
rlm@2: cute image into my mind forever. Thank you so much for all of the 
rlm@2: kind words, Sakura-chan. Hearing you say all that was very 
rlm@2: flattering. I’m makes me very happy to know that you think about 
rlm@2: me that way. And it does make me happy when my special someone 
rlm@2: is happy, so you don’t have to worry about me. If I were an angel, I 
rlm@2: would want to be Sakura-chan’s guardian angel, to watch over her 
rlm@2: forever and to take care of her. I heard a sad story some time ago 
rlm@2: about how angels cannot fall in love with humans because their love 
rlm@2: could never be. But what a beautiful love it is. As long as the angel 
rlm@2: can feel that love for the human they gave their heart to, does it 
rlm@2: really matter that they can’t be together? Even if the red string of 
rlm@2: fate isn’t wrapped around your finger, it doesn’t mean that you 
rlm@2: can’t love with all your heart. You may not get their love in return, 
rlm@2: but you get back so much just being able to have experienced them 
rlm@2: in your life. So I have no regrets. I wouldn’t take away a single day 
rlm@2: that I got to spend in the presence of my beloved. And my love will 
rlm@2: flourish in memories and dreams. Everything can still be all right if 
rlm@2: I’m alone. Because I am blessed to have been able to touch my 
rlm@2: special person’s life in some small way. Thank you so much for 
rlm@2: everything, Sakura-chan. I love you very much. You are my sweet, 
rlm@2: genki best friend. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: I’ll see you soon,
rlm@2: Daidouji Tomoyo