Congrats.

February 2nd, 20XX

Hey,

This letter may have taken years to write, but know that I have been thinking about apologizing to you every single day.

Things were kind of hectic on my end. I bet Captain Seijuurou told you about it.

Anyway, I didn't have the nerve to ask for your number. I don't think Captain would have minded, but I don't want to bother you two during such an important time.

I haven't spoken to you in years. There's no excuse for that. I'm a coward.

By now, I'm probably gone from Samezuka out into the countryside. As I recall, I think this was your hometown before you went to university? I scoped it out recently and it's a whole different sight than the city. The stars are amazing.

I plan to visit the graves once I officially move in. Both of them. I want to talk to him after being away for so long. He deserves more than that, but this is all I can give to him right now.

Hey, is it true that the men in your family always return to the ocean so young? It seems like it. I remember being told by one of your relatives that it was the ocean's curse for an inhabitant of the sea turning into a man of their lineage. That one always gave me chills and kept me up at night.

Is this bringing up bad memories? Ignore my bitterness. Yeah, I love him, too.

Sending you this the old fashioned way may be out of style, but I chose this method because one) I'm not brave enough to face you, and two) I want to genuinely convey that:

I'm sorry for not attending the funeral.

I'm sorry for cutting all ties with everyone after he left the first time.

I'm sorry for not being there to be one of the shoulders for you to cry on.

(Both of mine are wrecked, anyway. Too morbid? I'm only trying to make light of this situation.)

And also, I'm sorry for not being there to stop him. He'd always been weak to people who need him. I still don't know what he saw in that guy, whoever he was. He did so much for him, it's like he was in love.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it was a one-sided crush.

My point is, make sure to drop by whenever you're in town and text me at the number on the back to let me know when you'll be coming. I'll be glad to see you again.

Oh, and I heard from your proud husband just a minute ago about the great news while I was writing this. He said everyone at the station should celebrate ASAP. (Don't worry, we didn't. We wished him off to the hospital with all the fanfare we could legally blast at three a.m.)

Congrats on the baby, Gou.

-Sousuke