Kisumi: Hey there! It’s me, Kisumi! How’ve you been, Rin? I recently saw Sousuke, and I heard that you guys have been exchanging letters, which got me thinking I want to do that too! So here I am, writing this letter to you. But it’s the first time I’ve sent a letter by airmail, so I was kind of confused how to write the address but hopefully it’s right! You’re probably doing your best at swimming, right? For me, I’m in the basketball club, but there’s not many people who want to join, which is super shocking! I wish I can play basketball and soccer with you and Sousuke again.
Rin: Haha, Kisumi seems like he’s doing well.
Kisumi: Actually, I’m rather worried about Sousuke. After you transferred from elementary school and going as far as leaving for Australia, Sousuke’s been really lonely.
Rin: What? Sousuke…
Kisumi: When I met up with him, Sousuke was just standing at the wharf and I dunno, looking towards the direction of Australia or something and whispering your name, Rin. He didn’t even notice that I was calling him, “Sousuke are you listening?” and when I went closer to him he looked like he was going to cry.
Rin: Sousuke…that guy, he never told me any of this!
Kisumi: He was holding a picture of you, and it seemed like there were water droplets on it. I saw his tears drop on it. Sousuke’s always looking at the ocean probably thinking, “If I can swim across this ocean, I can see Rin!”
Rin: Sousuke…! *crying*
Kisumi: And it also seems like lately he hasn’t been eating either. Sousuke’s always saying he’s hungry, right, and he’s totally a big eater. Remember that time in elementary school where he would always get a huge amount of rice during lunch? But recently it seems like he hasn’t been able to enjoy the foods he used to. It’s almost as if he’s thinking, “Maybe…I can’t go on like this.” He looks like he’s really in pain.
Rin: Sousuke…SOUSUKE!!!
Kisumi: But Sousuke’s that type of guy and pretty tough, but even so I know he wants to see you again, Rin. I just can’t stand seeing him in this state anymore! Oh no, this is bad, just by writing this I feel like crying!!! So anyway, Rin, try to cheer Sousuke up! Looking forward to it! See ya~
Rin: SOUSUKEEEEEE!!!!!!!
—–
Rin: Rin, Sousuke, and Kisumi’s Letter, Part 2
Sousuke: Oh, I got a letter from Rin!
Rin: Hey Sousuke, how are you? Sorry for taking so long to write back to you. You know, I also started trying out your muscle training regime, and it’s pretty difficult! Let’s have a competition to see who can get to the advanced level of this! Oh right! That barbeque picture arrived yeah? Okay, so yeah that piece of meat I was eating looks really big, but it’s not wild boar meat— it’s just pork! Man, you probably forgot that I’m living in the Southern Hemisphere, asking me if I was cold just wearing t-shirts. It’s not like I unknowingly wore the wrong clothes— ‘sides, I have winter clothes with me anyway.
Sousuke: That’s nice, looks like he’s doing well.
Rin: Also, uh…Sousuke. I know you don’t like it when I talk about little things, or more like you’re kind of indifferent with a lot of stuff, but your strong point is that no matter what happens you’ll always be able to overcome it, right? Remember all those times we fought over who would get that one ice cream or colas, or the time when we tried our luck at those lottery games but used up all of our allowance, or that one time when we had that sword fight but ended up just wrestling, or that one time when we competed against who got the most scores in soccer and basketball— we’ve had so many quarrels that I don’t even remember the number, but see, we used to fight over these small things but even so, our friendship would always shine through. So I don’t think you should get so caught up over things in the past!
Sousuke: Huh? What the…why the sudden change?
Rin: So um…cheer up more! You’re always so reserved, but try smiling now and then! Whenever you and I are in a showdown, you have a great look on your face. Well, not as good as me, but anyway! Sousuke, the ocean connects the entire world, right? So when I see the ocean, I know that you’re here with me. You think the same thing too, right? Even if you don’t say it, I know.
Sousuke: Uh…sure…
Rin: So that’s why even if the ocean connects us, with your current body, it’s impossible to swim all the way to Australia!
Sousuke: Eh, what? Swim across the ocean? Me?
Rin: Even if we’re not next to each other, whenever I close my eyes you’re always there in front of me! You’re always in my heart, my sunshine! You feel the same way, don’t you? With our shining memories! Our friendship will never change no matter where we are! It will last for all eternity, our eternal shining memory! That’s why, you can’t die! No matter what, you can’t die, Sousuke!
Sousuke: Uh…I won’t die but…I don’t get it, I know Rin’s a hopeless romantic, but what the heck was that?
——
Sousuke: Rin, Sousuke, and Kisumi’s Letter, Part 3
Rin: Sousuke, I hope he’s doing well.
Sousuke: I read your letter, Rin. I can tell you tried revising your letter a billion times, didn’t you? The letter paper is all crinkly and so hard to read! Well, I guess I can’t really say anything since my handwriting sucks.
Rin: Thank goodness! Sousuke, you seem like you’re doing well.
Sousuke: Hey Rin, did something happen? You’re always saying crazy stuff, but saying something like “cheer up!” and “don’t swim across the ocean” and “don’t die!” Are you okay?? Uh…well I guess you’re always pretty expressive but…Rin, something happened right?
Rin: Not at all— I’m worried about YOU!
Sousuke: I know there’s probably a lot of stuff you’re not used to while living abroad, and you’ll probably run into hurdles, but— ah right! That! Rin, during these rough times, all you need to do is eat TONKATSU! Eat tonkatsu, eat it, and sleep! You’ll feel great the next day and be able to face forward!
Rin: Tonkatsu? That’s something you would do, not me!
Sousuke: Anyway, what’s up with those embarrassing words you said in the previous letter? I know you’re a hopeless romantic, but that letter didn’t seem like you. You usually say things pretty straight-forwardly and whatever is on your mind, so what’s wrong? If there’s something bothering you, tell me exactly what’s wrong because I’ll hear you out! And also…”my sunshine” and other…stuff like that…I think it’s best if you not say that to anyone else. It’s okay to say it to me since it’s me but…it’s kind of ridiculously embarrassing.
Rin: Ridiculously…embarrassing!?!? What does he mean by that? I’m the one here who’s worried about you!