9 May 2005
Dearest Mist,
I simply can't describe how I'm feeling right now as I'm writing this letter. I guess you could say that I'm feeling the same way as you did when you got my last letter. I just don't know what to say.
Well, I guess what I can say is that after reading your reply, things sure have gotten a lot clearer for me. It only took me a few minutes after taking in what you said, that I realized the truth for myself. And the truth, Misty, is that I feel for you the same way that you feel about me. I can never let go of you. My memory of you was like an endless black hole in my chest, sucking in all the happiness out of me until I came to terms with how I feel about you. Whatever joy or excitement came with one day was almost instantly gone by night as I always looked at the handkerchief you gave to me, sometimes wishing that you had given me a photo of you to keep instead. That cycle continued right up until I read your last letter, which took so much off my mind.
You must really think that I'm an idiot for not realizing the reason you stayed with me for two whole years, don't you? Well…I admit that I'm an idiot. Only an idiot would be clueless for that long. I know I should be feeling so happy that we finally confessed our love to each other, Mist, but…I just can't. When I think of the fact that I hadn't gotten a grip of myself sooner and loved you the way you wanted, I can't help but be angry at myself. I can't begin to imagine all the inner pain that I've caused you over the time that you secretly loved me.
I want to make everything up to you, Mist. I swear that I will. As soon as I finish what I set out to do here in Hoenn, I'm coming straight home, and back to you. I want to set everything right.
We're currently staying at the Pokémon Center in Bolvil Town, a small place that's located between Fortree City and Lilycove City. We'll probably be here for some time – May's come down with something, and we can't move on without looking after her first. Nurse Joy is caring for her right in the other room. Turns out Brock can control himself after all, if the situation calls for it. I can tell he's torn inside about it though, heheheh…
Hoping that everything's going fine at the gym. Tell Sabrina next time she drops by, that I'm thankful to her for everything she's done for you. And us.
Loving and thinking of you always,
Ash.
17 May 2005
Dearest Ash,
Happy. I can't believe that I'm having a moment where I can genuinely say that I'm happy. I haven't felt this way for so long. The first time I felt this warm inside was on my eighth birthday – the last I spent with my parents while they were still with me. The second time was when you woke up in Pokémon Tower, after I thought I had lost you forever. I can safely say that today is the third.
But don't be so down on yourself, Ash. It wasn't just your fault that we didn't end up the way we wanted to while we were still traveling together. I can only blame myself for not coming forward to you about my feelings. And I feel the same way about you too, you know. I get that feeling that the most important part of my life is missing from my heart, and that is you. The only things I have here to remember you by are your letters.
As much as I want to see you more than anything, Ash, don't feel that way about brashly coming back home. Remember what I've told you in my previous letters: just enjoy yourself, and make the most of your time in Hoenn. You'll only come to regret it if you rush things unnecessarily. My love for you will never change while you're away, Ash, so take things one at a time. I'll always be waiting for you to come back.
A lot of people say that a long-distance relationship is one of the hardest things to undertake, but…I'm sure I'll get used to it. Just the feeling of being loved by you makes up for all of that.
Things are going quite well at the gym. Sure, it gets lonely at times, but Sabrina drops by to help me out and keep me company whenever she's free and doesn't have any challengers. And that's more often than not, fancy that? People must be getting scared of Haunter, heheh ^^ . She usually visits some time in the afternoon, and we either cook something or go out for lunch together. She helps me to make dinner at times as well, and even zaps me back with her to go see various places in Saffron City. It sure is a really wonderful place. Sabrina's parents are both so nice to me as well.
And you asked for a photo, didn't you? Well, look in the envelope again. I'm sure you'll be quite pleasantly surprised. : )
Hope everything's fine with you guys now, and best of luck for your next match.
Love you always, and looking forward to seeing you again soon.
Mist.
A/N: Bolvil Town is just a random place I made up. There's so many random towns that they come across in the anime that are not in the games, so I thought I might as well.