Love Letters
Eli was always someone to look up to. She was talented, beautiful and reliable, and I would always look to her for guidance. Watching her ballet performance was inspiring and made me want to perform to my best ability whenever we had a concert.
I used to call her "Eli-senpai" before the third-years established that we should all refer to each other as if we were equals. Now I settle for simple "Eli". Despite this, whenever I think of Eli, I always think of her as my beautiful senpai that sets an example to follow.
That's why seeing her inexplicably flustered by the lockers was almost image-shattering. Her blonde hair was tied up in her usual ponytail, she was dressed in her school uniform with that green ribbon... It was definitely Eli. But the expression on her face was one I didn't know she could make.
She was currently looking at each of the lockers carefully, as if searching for something. In order to ask what she was doing, I took a step closer to her. My shoes made a sound on the floor, and Eli reacted to this.
"Ah! Oh, Umi... You surprised me." She turned to me and smiled as if everything was normal.
"What's going on?"
"O-oh... Nothing at all! Yep!" She looked away from me and back at the lockers. I sighed and walked up to my locker, which was in the same row as we were standing in. As I changed my shoes and looked back at Eli, I saw her watching me.
"Eli?"
"Yes?"
"You're staring..."
"Hmm? Are you sure you're not just imagining that?" As she said that, she got close to me and put her arm around me. Then she spoke in a low voice that sent chills down my spine. "Does Umi want me to stare at her?"
"N-no, that's not it!" As Eli giggled at my reaction, I turned away in embarrassment and released myself from her grasp.
Eli's teasing was another constant in our relationship. She knew that I was bad with physical contact and how to make me embarrassed. Eli knew that side of me very well, despite my desire to hide it away from everyone else. Because of this, Eli repeatedly teased me whenever we were together.
"Hey, Umi, do you want to walk with me to the station?"
"Sure." Despite her constant teasing, I wanted to spend time with Eli. I looked up to her and genuinely enjoyed her company. As we walked out of the school and onto the courtyard, I remembered that unfamiliar expression that she had on her face before. "So, what were you doing at the lockers?"
"Ah... It doesn't matter. Why, did you expect something special from me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Hmm... Like a love letter?"
"Wha-" I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I thought about how shameless Eli was.
"Hehe, seems like I hit the bullseye."
"N-no you didn't! You're way off the mark!"
"Then why are you so red, Umi?" She leaned towards me while we were walking, shortening the distance between us and making me feel even more flustered.
"S-stop teasing me..." Eli giggled at that and backed away. As she relented and we returned to normal conversation, I couldn't help but wonder what Eli could be hiding from me. However, I knew she was just going to tease me if I asked again, so I strayed away from the topic. But that didn't appease my curiosity, so I spent time thinking about what it could be.
It is common for girls to get love letters in their locker... Eli has probably gotten many before... That's to be expected, though. She is beautiful and trustworthy. Anyone would be happy to be with her... Yet, what's this feeling in my chest?
"Umi~" I snapped back to reality as Eli called my name in a singsong voice.
"H-huh? Oh, we're here." We were at the station. It was filled with many people, office workers and students alike, who were heading home for the day.
"Well, my train's this way!" Eli started walking and waved at me while she made her way through the crowd. My eyes followed her, noticing that something fell out of her bag. I went over to pick it up, but after doing so I couldn't see Eli anymore.
What is this... A letter?
Thinking that it was important to Eli, I put it in my bag. Then I boarded the train that would take me home.
When I had gotten home and gone to my room to do homework, I pulled out the books from my bag, accidentally dragging the letter out. I examined it further, noticing there was no name on it. After even more inspection, I noticed that the corner had bent, leaving a visible crease.
Ah, did I ruin her letter? Hopefully not. I'll try to straighten it... What is this letter, anyway? Wait... Could this be... A love letter?!
As I was thinking that, my phone started to vibrate on the table. I saw Eli's name pop up on the screen, so I answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Umi... I uh... Dropped a letter while we were together. Have you seen it?"
"Yeah, you dropped it at the train station. Don't worry, I picked it up."
"Oh, good! Whatever you do, make sure you don't open it, okay~"
"Okay, I won't."
"Thanks! Well, see you tomorrow. Bring the letter!"
"See you tomorrow." With that, Eli hung up, leaving me even more curious about the contents of the letter. I glanced at it, wanting to tear open the seal and pull out the single paper I had felt while holding the envelope. But as I picked it up, I remembered my promise to Eli, so I put the letter back in my bag so that it would be out of sight. Despite it being put away, the possible contents of the letter kept invading my thoughts, distracting me from homework and studying.
What if it really is a love letter? Then who would it be to?
As I was thinking that, a sudden feeling emerged in my chest, making it hard for me to breathe normally. It was like something was squeezing my chest, making it tighter.
What is this? Could it be… Because Eli is one of my senpais whom I cherish so much? But I don't feel the same way when I think of Nozomi or Nico… Is it because Eli and I are so similar? Is it the surprise that one of my role models has an admirer? Or could Eli be the writer... Maybe I just need to lie down and stop thinking about this…
Although I tried to rest, the thoughts of the letter continued to distract me, rendering me restless. Eventually, after telling myself many times that the letter didn't concern me, I was able to do things normally without getting sidetracked. When I grew tired of studying I got ready for bed and laid down, making a mental note to ask Eli about the letter the next day.
The next day, I walked to school with Honoka and Kotori as usual. As we neared the school gates, I could see Eli leaning on the wall in waiting. As we came even closer, Eli looked at us and started to walk towards us. Honoka saw that and spoke up.
"Hi, Eli-chan!"
"Good morning all of you. I hope you don't mind if I borrow Umi for a second."
"No, not at all. See you later, Umi-chan." Eli pulled me over to the side and spoke to me.
"So, did you bring the letter?" I nodded and handed her the letter, noticing that the crease I had left on the envelope was still visible. "Thanks! Well, I'll see you after school." As she started to walk towards school, I grabbed her uniform's sleeve in order to stop her. "Umi? What is it?"
"What is that letter exactly?" Eli's face changed back to that flustered expression that I found so out of character.
"D-did you read it?"
"No... Is it a love letter?" To that she stayed silent and looked upward at the sky. As her smile grew wider, she looked back to me and spoke.
"I wonder if it is... Wouldn't you like to know, Umi?"
"I-I would..."
"Well... Too bad!" Eli stuck her tongue out at me and placed the letter in her bag. "Why do you want to know so badly?"
Why did I want to know? Why was it bugging me so much yesterday?
As I was thinking that, Eli had closed the distance between us and had her face next to mine.
"W-what are you doing?!"
"Hehe, you're so cute when you get flustered."
"W-wha..." Despite my embarrassment, I found resolve to ask once more. "I-is it a love letter or not?" Eli seemed a bit surprised that I repeated the question, blinking at me as if she doubted what she heard. After she collected herself, she gave in and answered my question.
"Y-yes… It is."
What? Then Eli… is in love with someone? Why does that make it hard for me to breathe?
I felt dazed after hearing her say that, so I don't remember exactly what happened next. Before I knew it, we had said goodbye and I was in the classroom, sitting next to Honoka and Kotori.
"Umi-chan!"
"H-huh?"
"Is everything alright, Umi-chan? Honoka-chan's been calling you for a while now…"
"Did something happen, Umi-chan?"
"N-no…" Honoka and Kotori continued to question me, but I wasn't able to say anything to appease them. Eventually, once class started, they stopped asking, but I still felt that emotion.
How could I possibly explain this feeling? I don't think I've ever written about anything like this…
After school ended with the ringing of the bell I walked down to my locker as usual, expecting to see Eli there. However, she was no where to be found. Feeling a bit disappointed, I walked up to my locker and opened it. There was an envelope laying next to my shoes.
Another love letter? Well, I haven't gotten one in a while... Wait, this-
As I held it up, I noticed a familiar crease at the corner of the envelope. My heart pounded as I opened up the letter. It read like this:
Dear Sonoda Umi,
I have always been an admirer of yours.
You can seem so cool and chivalrous, but you even have your unbelievably cute side.
Whenever I see you around the school, you brighten up my day.
I wish I could tell you this to your face, but for right now, I'll settle for this short letter.
I love you, Sonoda Umi.
Sincerely,
Your Secret Admirer
It had been like so many letters before, except my heart was racing and my mind was tuning everything out except the words on the page. I felt like I was floating a few inches above the ground.
Is it because Eli wrote it? Then this feeling... Could it be lo-
"Umi?" My heart leapt out of my chest as I heard Eli's voice. I couldn't bear looking at her after what I had just felt, so I continued staring at the letter while talking to her.
"W-w-what is it, Eli?"
"Ooh, is that a love letter? From who?"
"A secret admirer..."
"Oh really? Are you going to respond?" I turned to Eli after she said that. She had a small grin on her face, leading me to think that she wasn't very shocked by the letter.
So it really was Eli... Then why is she acting like she's innocent? Is this all just to tease me? But she even said she loved me... If it really is just teasing, then why do I feel like this? Well, in any case...
"Yes, I am going to respond. And I already know what I'm going to write." As I said that, I saw Eli's grin turn into a confused face.
"H-huh?"
Hey everyone. Thanks for reading! Anyway, this is part one of a EliUmi two-shot. The next part will be from Eli's POV. I feel like a lot of the EliUmi stuff I see (doujins & manga) skirt around the topic of love letters, but none of them actually talk about them giving letters to each other... So I wrote this. Hope you enjoyed it!
Bchets