Dear Sayori,
The past few weeks over here in Korea have been rough, to say the least. The closer we inch to Pyongyang, the harder the North Koreans try to hold their ground. Along with the biting winter that we're getting over here, it seems that progress towards the capital has slowed. It's seems likely that we might have to dig in for the rest of the winter, or at least until conditions improve. But for now, we've reached deadlock. I wish I could be home for Christmas, to see our daughter for the holiday season. To spend much needed time with my family. I didn't want to fight a war away from home, and I sure as hell didn't want to spill unneeded blood. But, it's what I must do. However, I promise that I'll be home soon. I love you so much.
From, Hiro
December 21st, 2026
Osaka, Japan
Sayori POV
Hiro wasn't going to be home for Christmas?
To me, it seemed unfathomable. No matter what was going on in his life, Hiro would always try to be there for his family. And this meant that holidays were an extra-special time, as we were always together for them. But this time around, he seemed to have no choice but to be where he was, hundreds of miles away from home fighting against a rogue hermit state. It didn't even seem like our war, really. Just another excuse for the Americans to snoop around in regional affairs. He, along with thousands of others like him, just happened to be dragged into it at the behest of the superpower.
If only he could be home in time for our daughter's first Christmas. It was a moment we had anticipated since our baby girl, Hinara, was born. We wanted it to be a day we would remember forever. But now, it seems that this unforgettable day might never happen...
*KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK*
It's probably just the mailman. I'll ignore it until they go away.
*KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK*
However, the knocking didn't stop. It just kept going.
*KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK*
After a good solid 5 minutes of ignoring the knocking on the apartment door, I gave in. I couldn't ignore it any longer. I had to see who was the mystery person at my door. I rushed towards the front door, unlocking it and swinging it open. Before I even had the chance to see who was there, I was suddenly tackled by a large figure. Looking up, my eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. Hiro. He was home! I instantly locked him into the tightest hug that I could give, as he wrestled us both onto a nearby couch.
"How?! Babe, I thought you said you wouldn't be home!" I exclaimed to him, tears running down my face.
"And here I am, cinnabun." He said, calling me by a silly nickname he gave me when we were kids. He pulled me closer, almost into an embrace as we shared our first kiss in what seemed like an eternity. And I wanted it to last for one.
It was truly a miracle.