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When they were kids, Rui and Nene used to exchange letters a lot if one of them went on a family trip.
They picked a nice postcard and talked about how they were doing and the things they saw. Getting back home and reading a letter, knowing there was someone who remembered you and cared enough to send you something, was a great feeling.
It made them happy. Especially for two kids that didn't have many friends aside from each other.
However, they also eventually stopped. Aside from growing apart during middle school, they also got phones and stopped traveling that much. Sending messages was easier than buying, writing and sending a postcard or a letter. Still, sending messages was boring, and they never did that anyway.
That's why, when Nene told her friends she would skip practice for some days and go on a trip with her parents, Rui expected her to disappear for some days until she came back. No messages, and no letters, of course. Maybe, if you had the same video game console as her, you'd see she was online playing some game. If not, she could suddenly die in some terrible accident and you would only realize once you dramatically saw it on the news.
Surprisingly enough, she did send messages about her trip to their group chat. And some pictures, too. Somehow, she managed to talk about something all the days she went there— it was surprising, to say the least. Especially since it was her.
And, even though it ended up arriving after she did, she sent a letter as well.
—
"Did you do something interesting?"
"Uh… I guess. I enjoyed being inside more, honestly".
"Fufu. Yeah, that sounds more like you"
Rui inspected the souvenir she brought with her. A small crystal figurine of a platypus, as well as a purple music box.
Apparently, she had bought small music boxes for her friends, since she found a shop where you could get them for a cheap price, as well as figurines for Tsukasa, Emu and Rui. After an internal debate of whether she should get some for the Virtual Singers in the Sekai as well or not, she decided something fragile wouldn't last for too long there, and she simply bought a singular box for them to share.
At that moment, both Rui and Nene were at his place. She wanted to try the new multiplayer mode for a game she had, so she decided to pay him a visit to have it done faster. Having a neighbor who was happy to play games with her sure was cool.
However, having Rui as a neighbor wasn't that cool sometimes. While he looked at his new acquisition with a smile, she started to set up the game, at least until the door opened after a gentle knock.
"Ah, by the way, Rui. You got a letter today".
Nene froze in place. She couldn't even turn around to greet her friend's mom as she gave him a small envelope and left the room. Once they were alone again, however, she did wake up to look at Rui with a nervous expression.
"Who sent that?"
"Hm…? Oh, it was you! How nice, thinking about me on your trip".
"No… I don't even know why I wrote it… I-It was an impulsive thought, I…"
He looked at her, curiously.
"Nene?"
"Can't you give it back?"
"It made me happy, though". A playfully sad response. "I would love to read it".
"No. You'll laugh at me".
"I would never".
This time, he actually sounded genuine. Nene doubted for a moment, but she quickly dashed to take the envelope from his hands. Unfortunately, their height difference made it as easy for Rui as to lift his hand to keep it away from her reach.
"Still…! It's embarrassing!"
"I loved receiving your postcards when we were kids, though. It isn't different from this, right?"
"Of course it is!"
"Ne—"
Just then, Rui lost his balance. Nene had been trying to push him for a while, and with his couch right behind him, his legs finally gave in and made him fall here, sitting. Now, his friend finally managed to get a hand on the envelope, though he didn't let go himself.
"I… I did think I could give the three of you postcards, but it was embarrassing. I only wrote yours before I regretted it, but… My mom found it while I wasn't in my room, and she sent the two of them herself".
"Two? Did I receive something else by mistake?"
"No. It's something else. S-Something you shouldn't see… yet".
"…I understand. My apologies, you can have it back. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable".
Nene stood silent for a second, looking at the envelope, and took a deep breath.
"No. You can have it. I wanted to give it to you one day. Even if it's earlier than what I expected".
"Are you sure?"
"Maybe". She sighed. "Just don't make me regret it. And… I'll understand if you don't want to see me again".
Not saying another word, she turned around and sat down as she continued to set up the video game while a surprised Rui looked at her. This time, he was the one getting nervous.
Upon opening the envelope, the first thing he saw was a postcard. A nice picture on one side, and a short message in Nene's handwriting on the other.
It wasn't special or embarrassing. It had the same content as the postcards she sent when they were little— none of those words could ever make him want to stop talking to her, or laughing at her. In fact, realizing Nene remembered him and sent him something made him as happy as when they were kids. A soft smile appeared on his lips before he realized.
It was then when Rui remembered the postcard wasn't the only thing in the envelope. He checked it again and found a light green paper, folded one single time. He carefully unfolded it.
As he read the letter, he suddenly understood.
Rui looked at Nene just in time to see her turn around at her console one more time, embarrassed, still in silence.
"Nene, is this…"
"Yes".
A love letter.
"I… I'm sorry. I don't even know why I wrote something like that. It's stupid, isn't it?"
Rui wasn't fully listening to her. He tried to read the words as quickly as he could.
«I've been meaning to tell you for a long time…», «ever since we were kids, I…», «even if I say you're annoying», «everything about you»…
With a deep breath, Rui stopped reading. «I've always loved you». That's all he needed to see.
"…Right. You won't reply. I did say you wouldn't want to even see me again".
She was truly stupid. Holding back tears, Nene was ready to wake up and go back home, where she couldn't annoy her friends with dumb letters. At least that was until she felt Rui's arms around her, hugging her from behind. With that, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
"H-hey, don't try to comfort me like that. It'll only make me feel worse…"
"It's not like that".
"What is it, then? Why would you—"
"I love you".
She doubted.
"Are you mocking me?"
"I'm not. I love you, Nene".
Getting away from his grip, she looked at him, surprised.
"…What?"
Smiling fondly, Rui used his finger to wipe her tears.
"Isn't that the content of the letter? Come on, there's no need to cry. I would never hate you for that, especially not when I feel the same way".
"You… feel the same way". As she slowly realized what he meant, she also began to smile. "I'm glad. I was so worried you would be annoyed".
"Even if I didn't like you, I would never be mad at you for that. You're my friend, Nene".
"Right… I'm so glad". She laughed, relieved. "Maybe I really am stupid".
"Well. Shall we play that game now, then? I would also love to hear more about your trip".
"Ah, right. Can we… hug again first?"
"Ah, but of course".
He wrapped his arms around her again. And this time, she hugged him back, too.