A.N. This is dedicated to TamashinoSuzume for requesting another chapter based on Hibari's reply to Emi's letter. I hope it meets your expectations! These letters do actually fit into the Blooming Flowers Floating Clouds universe, you all will understand in the future arc. (once I get there)
To Emi
Perhaps, in this letter, I can tell you all the things I never told you. Things like: even in preschool you were different, you didn't cry, and you were brave. As unique as the images you brought to life with paper and ink. Or even things like: You only imagined my bravery, for there are plenty of unheard confessions that hide behind the "hn's" I gave you all throughout the time we knew each other.
Perhaps, in this letter, I can tell you that while leaving Namimori was on my mind since four years ago, it was there long before that. The moment that half ring arrived in my mailbox in the last year of middle school, I knew.
I would be leaving Namimori, even if I wasn't and still isn't ready to leave. And I knew, knew from somewhere deeper than just a feeling, that I could never persuade you to leave behind this city, and these people that you swore to protect.
Perhaps, I can't even tell you that truly, you are the only one of the two of us that can say what they mean, for I am procrastinating. I can not even tell you what I mean and feel even now, when I am about to leave.
I put off replying until the last moment, I put off even opening the letter you gave me two weeks ago until yesterday.
I knew it was coming.
There were things in that letter of yours that you did not need to tell me. Things I did not need to know. And yet now I know them anyway.
After today I will no longer see you and hear your laugh, listen to you count the stars at night, stand next to you on New Year's, or watch the fireworks with you or if I do, it will never be the same again.
Know that in Italy, there will be no one to replace you. That there never will be.
If you are waiting for me, then I will one day return.
Perhaps, if you wait long enough, you will even be able to hear me admit that Namimori is my home.
Perhaps you will even hear one final confession of the words I can not write, even now.
Because even now I cannot tell you. Perhaps when I am back to stay, I will be able to.
I'm sorry.