I originally wrote this from the point of view of IV's hero (I think the one he's talking to is rather clear), but it could also be for II. Alas, I still do not own anything resembling Suikoden.
The Color of Forgiveness
I think, my friend, that "forgiveness" is a word that you do not understand. I think I had better explain it to you.
Forgiveness means everything is okay. It means that I don't care about the things you might have done, or the words you said, or the thoughts you had. Forgiveness means there is no punishment for the wrongs that were done.
Forgiveness means acceptance. No one is perfect; no one can do all the right things all the time. All of us make bad decisions, bad judgments, and bad moves. Sometimes life only offers us bad choices to make, and we must deal with the consequences. Forgiveness means these imperfections, these flaws, don't matter as much as you think.
Forgiveness is like an eraser. When you use it, you rub out whatever error was made. Sometimes residue is left behind, but you can't make out the error any more. It's gone. Forgiveness says whatever happened can be, if not fixed or undone, at least gotten past.
Forgiveness means I don't change the way I think or feel about you. Forgiveness means I will keep on acting as I have always acted. Forgiveness means I will not build walls between us. Forgiveness means I will take down the walls I may have built.
My friend, I have forgiven you wholly. To me, you are as pure as is possible. I have not forgotten what you did, but I have accepted that those actions are a part of you that you regret. And all those here, if they have not forgiven you, will pretend so, for my sake.
But there is one person who has not forgiven you, and that is yourself. Perhaps you are not ready yet. Perhaps you feel there is some unfinished business between us. I don't know, but I think the next move on the board is yours. I am waiting for you. If you want to talk, I will listen. If you want to be silent, I will sit with you and ward off the night. If you want to cry, I will lend you my shoulder. If you wish to tear down this wall you have built around yourself, I will lend you my tools and my hands.
Forgiveness means I will help you conquer yourself. Forgiveness means that I know what you have done, and you are still my friend. Can you not forgive yourself?