Dear Sempai

Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of the characters from the Manga.

Summary: Lory has conceived yet another devious scheme, wrapped in the guise of a LoveMe assignment. All the girls have to do is to write at least one letter a week to the person they respect the most. Simple… right?

Letter 9

Dear Friend,

Thank you so much for forgiving my… misunderstanding. But it wasn't truly necessary to state your [several words were written and hastily scratched out here] promise in such… strong words. You told me once that you hadn't learned Kanji very well, so perhaps you weren't aware that some of the words you chose held greater meaning than you intended. Words such as "cherish," "protect," "forever," and "devoted" have many nuances that might not have exactly the same meaning in other languages. Had anyone intercepted this letter without knowing our sempai/kohai relationship, they might have completely misinterpreted your intent. Perhaps it would have been better simply to say "I am your friend. I forgive your many inadequacies, and I wouldn't abandon you."

Nevertheless, I thank you so much for your professions of friendship. Although I didn't share my deepest fear with the intent of seeking such a response, it is so nice to know that you consider me such a close friend.

It is wonderful here in California! Otou-san sent William, the butler, to pick me up at the airport because he is too recognizable, but he and his wife were actually waiting for me at the front of their mansion. Tsuruga-san, Julie Hizuri is the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen! If somebody had told me that she was the Queen of the Faeries, I would absolutely believe him! I know that you probably know this already, but Julie-san (she told me to call her either that or "Okaa-san," so for this letter I will use her name) was a supermodel and an actress. Now she focuses her time on charity and on her own line of clothing. She is so graceful, and kind, and ethereal that she almost doesn't seem real.

But she is real! You would think that somebody so perfect wouldn't even want to speak with someone like me, but she hugged me the moment that she met me, and she speaks as if I were her own daughter. She sits and talks with me, teases me, and insists on taking me shopping… She is a little like you because she keeps insisting on buying me things and she won't take "no" for an answer. But Okaa-san (I love calling her that. It is almost as if she was my true mother!) does have one flaw: she shouldn't cook. I don't mean to insult her, and I beg you, if you ever meet her please don't tell her what I wrote, but Julie-san shouldn't ever step foot in a kitchen. Didn't you once tell me that your mother couldn't cook?

Do you remember when I told you about Hizuri Kuu's unusual ways? Otou-san is even more unusual in his own home. He seems like such a dignified man in all his interviews, but alone, in his own home, he is like a little kid. He likes to joke and laugh and tease. Oh! And he is absolutely and totally in love with his wife. I suppose that it shouldn't be surprising, considering how beautiful and wonderful Julie-san is, but I am still amazed at how completely in love Otou-san is with her. It makes me wish [a sentence is blotted out] It makes me wish that some things were different. I suppose that some things are impossible.

The strangest thing happened on the first day that I was here. You remember that I wrote about the Hizuri's missing son, Kuon? I suppose that I thought that he never spoke with them. Well, after I went to bed I couldn't get to sleep, so I decided to walk down to the library. They have a huge library with a lot of books about acting and theater. I walked down and accidentally overheard Julie-san talking on the phone and she said his name. I wonder if I will have the chance to meet him? I hope so.

On Tuesday the Hizuris are taking me to a society gathering at the house of one of their dear friends, the Nickleby's. I guess that Mr. Nickleby is a famous director. Otou-san tells me that they have several children around my age. One of them, I think that his name is Samuel, actually has copies of Box R. Otou-san said that he is especially enthusiastic to meet me. Supposedly, he is very impressed with my acting! Can you believe that? Anyway, I am sure that he will be disappointed when he finds out that I am nothing like Natsu.

I don't have a topic for this week or next week. Takarada-shachou insists that I must continue writing, but that I don't have to worry about any topics until I return to Japan. Is everything going well for you in Taiwan? Please take care of yourself and please eat properly,

Sincerely,

Mogami Kyoko

Dear Chiori-san,

I was pleased to receive your letter, even though it wasn't necessary during my vacation. Still, it was nice to find your letter waiting for me after I returned from the garden party I was attending.

Actually, the term "garden party" completely fails to describe the enormity of the party that I attended at the Nickleby estate. To begin with, their estate covers over one-hundred acres and consists of multiple buildings, including a mansion, a twelve-car garage, horse stables, and several servant's cottages that are larger than most homes I've seen in Japan. The garden is actually an acre of beautifully sculpted hedges encircled by pebbled pathways. There is a large fountain in the center of the garden with marble sculptures of the Vestal Virgins in different poses.

The people were gathered in this area. There were people from every part of the Hollywood entertainment industry there; some were almost as eccentric as our beloved president. I have never truly paid attention to U.S. movies, except for the ones Otou-san was in, so I didn't know anyone by name, but some did look very familiar. Everyone was so beautiful and perfect that it made me feel even more plain than usual. Still, the Hizuri's treated me like their own daughter, introducing me to many people. I tried not to embarrass them, so I had to pull upon all of my childhood training. I hope that I didn't make the Hizuris look bad.

I wish that you and Moko-san could meet Hizuri Julie. She is the most beautiful and kindest person I have ever met. I was so scared to meet her because I have never spoken to her before, but she has been so hospitable and wonderful! Do you remember when we talked about their son? We must have misunderstood the situation, because he phones his mother and father every day. I'm pleased to know that they haven't lost him. I wonder if he is as wonderful as his parents?

I wasn't really surprised about your "Guilty Pleasure." Moko-san and I have often seen you writing in one of your notebooks, so I always thought that you might write a novel, or even a movie script. Will you ever allow us to read it? Your letters are always so well-written, so I am positive that you would do well.

Oh, I have a phone call from Tsuruga-sempai. I will close my letter here so that I can get it mailed tonight.

Sincerely,

Mogami Kyoko

Dear Moko-san,

Thanks for your letter. It came as a very pleasant surprise. Please don't worry, everything is fine here and the Hizuri's are a wonderfully hospitable couple. They are not the type of people to take advantage of me, so it honestly isn't necessary to write so many warnings. Still, you are my best friend and it makes me so happy that you were worried about me.

I don't understand why you still don't trust Tsuruga Ren. He announced to the entire world that the "engagement" was not real. Besides, I still don't understand your odd insistence that he owes me any explanation. He is my wise sempai and my friend. I assure you that he will never look at me in the way that you suggest. Still, I am oddly pleased that he isn't marrying someone from another country. What if he had decided to move there? I still have so much that I want to learn from him.

Anyway, he phoned me last night, which was unexpected. He must not have been busy because he kept me talking until I couldn't keep my eyes open. He was very interested in my stay with the Hizuri's, but he was the most interested in the people I met at the garden party who were my own age (please have Chiori-san share with you about the garden party. I have to keep this letter short because we are driving to Sea World in about fifteen minutes). I posted my required letter to Tsuruga Ren on the day I arrived and William-san, the butler, must have sent it express because Tsuruga-san had already received it when he called.

I think he must have already met the son of the people who threw the party, because he asked a lot of questions about him. Samuel Nickleby was a nice young man, but he seemed a bit forward in his mannerisms. I supposed that Americans are just different in that respect. You and Tsuruga-san are a lot alike because he kept warning me about this man and that man… I wonder how he knows so much about them?

It looks like I need to close this letter. William-san just informed me that the Hizuri's are ready to go,

Sincerely,

Mogami Kyoko

Notes: Before anyone tells me about it: Yes, I know that Ren only told Bo about his issue with Kanji vs. Hiragana. In this story, Kyoko was so flummoxed by Ren's very personal assurances that she has completely forgotten how she came by that information.

I don't plan on having notes after most of these letters, so I will thank everyone now for your wonderful response to my idea. I truly appreciate your reviews.