Work Text:
Dear Ei,
I will let myself strip us both from our many names and titles and let this letter posses no formality and unnecessary fanciness. I am writing to you as your dearest friend - Yae Miko.
Sakura trees bloomed once again, shedding their petals in every direction of the world, as well as my cup full of sake and a plate of fried tofu. I take strolls often under those blushed flowers, like I used to do for centuries; nothing changed… or so I thought.
This year, I can’t help but wish you were walking by my side, so that I could count all the petals that fell and stuck to you without you noticing. Or when you would point out for the umpteenth time how the sakura flowers match my hair color perfectly. All those little things have been haunting me recently, and all of them are focused solely on you. Do not think this is some kind of a complicated joke trying to lure you out of that space you locked yourself in for five centuries, although I wouldn’t mind seeing the real Ei instead of that puppet.
Even I, Yae Miko, am surprised by my own feelings. I thought that I taught myself to live with the fact that I can’t be sure if I will even see you again like I used to, but to my surprise, it seems I was too sure of myself. Even during festivals and ceremonies, where I am expected to sit still somewhere, I always found something to satisfy my mind for that time. But now I can’t even find that little something to keep me entertained, because all my thoughts come down to you. You occupy my mind, Ei, like I already don’t have so much to do! I wrote many novels about you and I, more or less innocent, hoping that it would bring me some peace- but to no avail.
I try to relax at the Aisa Bathhouse, focusing on meditation and clear mind, but guess what? Memories flood that head of mine, and they favorite those with you in particular.
I treat myself a good meal at the Kiminami Restaurant, yet again hoping for the expensive sake and top notch food to relax me utterly… only to feel the need to share everything with you!
I take my daily stroll around Inazuma City, trying to find something interesting, either for a new novel or a simple thrill… but I end up stopping before the Tenshukaku, lying to myself that I’m just looking for changes and indication of time passing, when in reality I know that the only reason I’m staring is my foolish desperation, that maybe I will catch a glimpse of the real you in one of those windows. Which has yet to happen.
My mind during my so-called “relaxing” walks preoccupies itself with such inept ideas- “Ei would be confused by this”, “Ei would surely love this!”, “would Ei try this?”, “what would Ei think of such fashion?” and so on…
Who could have thought that the Guuji Yae could feel so… helpless? So desperate? I am quite shocked myself, I must admit that.
I miss you, Ei, I truly do. You were and still are a part of my life, heart and soul, whether you like it or not. Whether you understand it or not.
Nevertheless, I will keep on waiting for you. I will await the moment you realize how foolish your isolation is, so that I can finally say “I told you so!” and snicker as you furrow your eyebrows and get all serious.
Have you cursed me? Have I been possessed?
Or is 500 years simply the maximum I can stand without you, Ei?
All yours,
Yae Miko