I am so sorry for the really late update.
I don't have any good enough excuse to give you.
Anyway, here is the new update. Please enjoy.
Letters to You
Imai Hotaru never could understand how she could ever put up living with Sakura Mikan. The first time they met was after the call she received from the girl saying that she saw that she wanted to find someone to share rent with and took her number. Surely Hotaru could have just afforded the rent by herself, she had no problem with money though the best place she found had too much space that she did not need and she did not want to spend money for something that she doesn't use. Not to mention, having to share the place meant that she could divide the chores by half thus having more time for her own work.
When Hotaru got the call from Sakura Mikan, she had the girl checked before agreeing to meet. The girl might be a psycho or a serial killer or worst a sloppy, lazy girl who sleeps around. Once certain the girl was clean, she arranged their meeting. Her first impression of Mikan was exactly 'Too chatty, nosy but tolerable'. Surprisingly, the girl agreed with all the conditions Hotaru laid out which adds 'unpredictable' to her impressions for even Hotaru herself would admit was not few. Once they started sharing the apartment, Mikan indeed undoubtedly followed the conditions stated, yet the one and only thing she would not do and the one thing that Hotaru really wished for was for her to leave her alone and mind her own business. There was more than once Hotaru had the thought of throwing her out, yet she could not afford the trouble of finding other who would follow her conditions as well as Mikan did.
Then, a few weeks back, the lass came into her room again. Whining, having nothing to do. Finally, when she snapped at her to stop bothering her, she left her bed and went for the shelves. When Hotaru thought she could at last get her peace, Mikan came jumping back with her ideas. Knowing that if she doesn't give her the answer the girl wants, she will keep annoying her.
Hotaru singled one person, Hyuuga Natsume ,when Mikan asked for anyone she could use. She is not a close acquaintance with the man, but she knew him enough to know his address. She met they man a few years back in an event in Tokyo. A man with pride and few words. Most of the time, he would stand alone or occasionally with a blonde, Nogi Ruka. After the event they met again a few more times but having no great interest for him, she only kept track on him and his friend for he was a potential target for business. She glanced to Mikan once. Well, the guy doesn't seem like he would follow the stupid idea Mikan had. He is safe, not mental, and crazy with any signs of being a stalker or could ever put her in any risk of any harm. Deciding that he would be the sacrifice for her peace, she scribbled the address and shoved it to the girl.
Apparently, Mikan actually did wrote and sent the letter. For almost two weeks, Hotaru actually attained her quiet peace. Mikan would check the mail everyday without fail. After days of nothing, Mikan probably lost hope in receiving any reply for she started to bother Hotaru again.
Hotaru expected to spend the evening in peace for she had just completed another one of her project and sealed an agreement with a big company. The work compared to any other day, was easy. No nosy, annoying client who ask unrelated question and she got treated for lunch. Yes, Hotaru was indeed very content. She took of her coat and scarf and threw them on the bed, she didn't feel like having order at the time. A clattering noise from the living . Her housemate was back. Hearing nothing from the lass, she stepped to her closet, took a lilac coloured towel and walked to the direction of the bathroom. Her journey to the bathroom was cut short when a loud bang was heard and the next thing she knew, she was tackled to her bed.
"Wha—" was the only thing that got out of Hotaru's mouth. Mikan was on top of her squashing her to the bed, her arms around Hotaru.
"Hotaru, it came!" Mikan squeled.
"What?" Hotaru grumbled
"It came! The letter! I got a reply!"
"What reply?"
"The letter I wrote last time. You gave me the address, remember? She replied!" Mikan said excited showing said the papers in her hand to Hotaru.
Hotaru raised an eyebrow. He did? Hyuuga Natsume replied to a letter written by a stranger? Wait. ' She?' "Have you read it?" Hotaru asked.
"I did" nodded Mikan. "Do you want to hear it?" Mikan asked.
"No. Now, go away." Hotaru snapped. Regaining her composure, she picked her towel from the floor and strutted her way to the bathroom. Mikan's eyes followed Hotaru till she closed the door.
"Oh, you were going to shower. Did I interrupted you? . Sorry!" Mikan shouted hoping that Hotaru could hear her in the bathroom. Smiling, Mikan looked again at the letter as she walked and stepped out of Hotaru's room and proceeded to make her way to her own. With a deep breath, Mikan flopped onto her bed and rolled herself and lay on her back. Adjusting her posture, making sure she was comfortable, she scanned to letter once again. Carefully studying the words on the paper.
The letter was not so long. It was only one and a half page long. Yet, it was enough to satisfy Mikan. She traced her finger along the words in the letter. 'Beautiful writing' she thought. She pictured the girl writing the letter. Though it was not really good to put images to a person, she couldn't help herself.
Sapporo
2nd November XX
Greetings. I've never written any letters before so forgive me if my writing is too formal for your liking.
Pleased to be acquainted to you too. I hope. Miss Sakura Mikan?
Mikan read the first few lines. 'Ha. She's quite awkward. Well, what do you expect from someone who has never written letters before' she thought chuckling.
The letter was brief. She only wrote about her thoughts when she received the letter, how she did not know how to reply for she did not know her. Even though the letter was a bit awkward, Mikan find it very cute though from the way of her writing it was clear that the person was a nice and intelligent person. Since Hotaru was the one who gave the address to her, she doubt the girl is a pervert
After reading the whole letter, folded the papers back and slid it back into the envelope and put it in her drawer. Then, deciding that she was unoccupied, she hopped out of bed and took a few writing papers and tried to write something.
"Alright. What shall I write…" Mikan wondered. She started with the usual greetings. She really wanted to know this Natsume girl better. What kind of girl is she? Yet, she didn't like the idea of searching people online, it's boring. Not knowing is killing but getting to know something too easily is boring. No time spent. That being said, writing to a stranger was hard. She wants Natsume to know more about her but she doesn't know how much she can write. She doesn't want to appear stupid or annoying to the girl.
Scratching the words she wrote, Mikan huffed. She raised from her seat and stretched her limbs and breathed out. Finding no right words to write, she opened the window. It was almost sunset.
Deciding that it wasn't the right feeling to write, she walked out for some fresh air. Mikan stared at the sky when a heard footsteps stopping behind her.
To Mikan's delight, it was Hotaru. " Let's eat out" Hotaru said as she slowly walked to the streets.
"Alright" beamed Mikan as walked faster towards Hotaru to match her pace.
Mikan sigh for the nth time. Losing her patience, Hotaru finally said "What is it?" MIkan's face lit up relieved that Hotaru asked " Well, I'm not sure what to write back"
"Then don't"
"But I got a reply"
"So?"
"I have to write back"
"You want to. You don't have to. Just write when you have something"
Nodding to Hotaru's words, Mikan ate her meal silently.
"Done" Mikan breathed out.
She slipped the sealed envelope into her pocket of her coat and sipped the remaining of her coffee. "Come on. Let's go" she said to herself. Mikan took small slow steps taking all the view her brain can register and breathe deep breath until she reached the post box. "Go mail!" she said under her breath and entered the letter into the box.
She stood there for a few minutes, stared at the sky and took deep breaths feeling the cold air filling her lungs. Then, she let her legs guide her to wherever it can get her to. All the while, she studied her feet, watching each step she took leaving prints and marking on the pavements as she steps on the fallen leaves like as though the prints could cause miracles or magic, giggling . Anyone who would bother looking at her would think that she might have lost her mind.
When she finally looked up, she was standing at the park. If any word was to define the park, it would be ordinary. Not too big nor is it too small. A few trees now bare . A small gazebo located at the middle with plants creeping around the pillars. Mikan seldom go there seeing most of the time it was usually packed with children playing or couples cuddling. Today unlike any other day, the park was unexpectedly empty. The one thing Mikan loves about the park was the sakura tree next to the swings. No matter what season it is, winter, spring, summer, autumn, Mikan never knew why she loved the tree so much, she just did .
She pulled the chains of the swing, and sat, moving it slightly with her legs.". Some small stuff can make a big change. I wonder my writing letters could ever change my life" Mikan giggled "if so, then how?" she wonder as the rubbed her hand together to get some heat. When she could no longer stand the cold, she stood up and followed back her trail out the park. She giggled again "Well, I can't wait to know" she smiled at the sky as she make her way home.
Xxx
Thank you for reading.
I'm so very sorry for the late update and this chapter doesn't really have much happening and quite short.
Also, I am so sorry if there great error in my writing.
I was wondering if I should write the letters…
I can't promise anything but I'll try to make the next chapter better.
I'm already half way for the next chapter.
Thank you again for reading and the reviews.
Have a good day.
