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Dear Firstborn,
Thank you for seeking a longer stay in the dark box inside which you had the good fortune of being born. We are grateful for all the nights you spent singing in your mother’s arms, blissfully unaware of the true source of the water droplets dripping over your face. After careful consideration of her prayers, we have decided that you are destined for much more prosperous prospects ahead.
We understand that this may come as a surprise. You must have grown rather comfortable falling asleep to the sound of her desperate heartbeat. Despite the lack of visibility and opportunities to witness your reflection, you did not feel the need for a mirror when you could just look up and find your moles reflected in her face. Nevertheless, we regret to inform you that you must now learn to navigate the pitch-black on your own.
We hope that you will not consider it lonely. In the end, you must get used to winning alone. This is the result we are preparing you for.
Try not to linger on the warmth you once experienced. Consider yourself lucky to have been touched by it at all.
All the best,
The ANAKT Corporation
__________
Dear Discounted Product,
Thank you for putting your best foot forward in the race of life. We know that it must have been challenging to stand inside the glass cage so patiently, watching everyone else go home. It is with great sadness that we must inform you that all your labor was only worth half its actual value. Rest assured, there will be other chances to change the light of your collar. We hope that you will do your utmost to live up to them.
We would like to remind you that this evaluation is in no way an assessment of your total worth. In fact, we have been greatly pleased with your potential, particularly in the field of music. We believe you will serve as a great candidate at Anakt Garden. Please pack up your torn garments and prepare for departure as soon as possible. Please do not forget to grit your teeth in anticipation of any incoming blows. You still have a long way to go in terms of controlling your rather fragile emotions, but we know that you will shape up according to any criticism offered.
Attached to this letter is your admission form, along with an ice pack for the scrapes on your cheek. Going forward, you must learn to tend to your own wounds.
We admit that your anger is your best suit. Alas, flinching will only make the adjustment period more complicated. We hope that you understand.
Sincerely,
Your Prospective Guardian
__________
Dear Aspiring Musician,
Thank you for your query about using the music room after hours. We are in awe of your passion for your art and respect your dedication to your practice. Even so, we are sorry to let you know that we are unable to provide for your needs at the moment. It seems that you are under the misconception that you have full rights to the songs you wish to make. Regardless of your superior talents, you are still as much a tool as the rest of your classmates.
Please avoid getting ahead of yourself in this manner. We are willing to ignore your use of the word “edelweiss” in the folded-up pages containing your lyrics, but honestly attempting to scream it out loud is crossing the line.
Please do not take advantage of our generosity and continue to sing as you are told. There is no greater honour for someone of your species.
With your best interests at heart,
The Caretakers Of Anakt Garden
P.S. Please make sure to stop by the examination rooms for an extra word. As it seems that our reminders last time were not enough, we will be going for both of your arms this time.
__________
Dear Shy Child,
Thank you for your several attempts to put together a crown of fallen flowers. We appreciate your sincere efforts, especially the prior hours you spent folding each of the individual red petals, weaving together the thin stems, and commend you on your amateur display of courage at hiding your pricked fingers behind your back. Unfortunately, your smile was much too eager at the prospect of connection, and your bright green eyes carried no hint of shame.
Such hopeful conduct is natural for a boy your age but must be discouraged as necessary. In the future, we recommend foregoing the ordeal of holding out your empty hands and simply skipping over to clenching them into fists.
For better results, it is best not to bother practicing your greetings all alone by the lake. We hope you will grow to instead treasure the bruises on your face.
Regards,
Your First Friend
__________
Dear Hopeless Romantic,
Thank you for your interest in using love as a mode of survival. We understand that it was your deepest desire to keep your feelings uncomplicated and free of unnecessary pain. We have read your scrapped drafts, noting the stress on sentiments of gratitude and innocence. Still, we are afraid that reality cannot live up to your empty expectations. Your hands are already stained.
We appreciate your habit of keen observation and attention to detail. We have noticed the way you are always staring at the way two shadows fall over the grass, side by side. Two. Not one. But you cannot keep hiding behind the tree and being a bystander to the troubles of your own heart. We suspect that you do not want to be loved back. Perhaps you actually want to be saved.
We believe you would find a better fit elsewhere. After all, you cannot keep filling someone else’s frame with your listless daydreams. Ask yourself: Whose smile do you need to superimpose over your happiness to be able to live through the rest of your days? It is our sincere advice that you gaze into the muddled waters and see your own reflection for once.
With much regret,
The Object Of Your Affections
__________
Dear Waker of Dead Flowers,
Thank you for trying to encourage crushed petals to bloom once more. Although we know you got down on your knees and whispered with all you had, your cries were unsuccessful in awakening the flowers long gone.
Perhaps this can be a lesson for the future: The state of certain things remains unchanged, regardless of the size of your grief. Please learn to let sleeping dogs lie asleep, particularly those that are prone to drooling at your feet.
Do not fret. There is still a lot of time for you to get used to all the red. Next time, you will surely be better prepared.
Cheer up,
A Moron
P.S. If you are able to do so, try to look in the cracked center of the crumpled flower and give your biggest smile. It suits you the best.
__________
Dear Free Spirit,
Thank you for your fruitless endeavors to jog past the electric gate at the boundary of the garden. We are unsure as to how you found the whereabouts of the secret tunnel, but we did not expect anything less from you, who so desperately wanted to escape. Unfortunately, the weight of another child’s hand did not prove sufficient in dragging you out all the way. It seems that your legs have grown too used to being in chains.
Were you expecting the fear to automatically lessen as soon as you set foot on real grass? How could that be when it has burrowed so deeply inside your body? We encourage you not to take this defeat personally. After all, you cannot be expected to look after yourself anytime soon. What would the two of you even have done out there all alone? It was in your best interests to turn back around.
Don’t worry; you won’t forget the sight of that sky for the rest of your miserable existence. Let the ache in your heels be a reminder of what you will never allow yourself to seek again.
With profound sorrow,
The Meteors You Ran Away From That Night
__________
Dear Consecutive Winner of the Annual Anakt Garden Musical Competition,
Thank you for standing up on that stage for the tenth year in a row. We congratulate you on your continued victory over all other participants. However, we admit to being a little confused about the pained look on your face. Was your intention not to prove that you were better than everyone else? You should pat yourself on the back for continuously surpassing our expectations. When holding the rather large trophy, there will be no room in your hands for anything else, much less disdain.
We have noticed that you are a little more distressed than usual during the weekly physical examinations. We had deemed you worthy of bearing thrice the usual amount of syringes, but it appears that you have not been as up to the mark as we assumed. Is it because the seat next to yours remains vacant during lunch? We hope that you will not let such trivial matters affect your future performance.
We anticipate that there will be greater challenges waiting for you up ahead. Is this not why you decided to come back? A little loneliness is to be expected.
Deeply concerned,
The Jury of the 10th Annual Anakt Garden Musical Competition
__________
Dear Recent Graduate,
Thank you for completing your sixteen years of education at our esteemed musical institution. We are sad to see you go, but we know that you are proceeding to even higher milestones in your career. We look forward to listening to your upcoming album release and trust that you will include many of the songs you made in your time here in the garden.
Attached to this letter are the wonderfully encouraging notes written to you by your fellow classmates. Please be sure to go through them carefully and reflect on the several memories you made together. We know that you may have wished to stay inside the fishbowl of your making for as long as possible. Still, you will have the great fortune of facing each other in front of a very awestruck audience.
We recommend that you look back on the blood spilled with fondness and keep going ahead without reminiscing about the gentle pressure of that familiar chin on your shoulder blade.
Perhaps one day you will be able to pause and look up at the stars without an ounce of regret.
Best wishes,
The Selection Committee of the 50th Season of Alien Stage
P.S. Please do not keep asking again and again. You cannot have your pencil back in any case.
__________
Dear Round 2 Contestant,
Thank you for submitting your required materials for the upcoming competition. In regard to your request to use your own guitar for the duration of your round, we must sincerely apologize and decline the same. As per our guidelines, all contestants must use the instruments provided to them by their assigned guardians and also wear the appropriate attire designed according to their measurements. Please heed the rules and proceed as has been suggested.
We understand that you might have concerns about using a lower-class alien as an aid to your performance. Please know that Freddie is the utmost grateful to be given such a grand opportunity to serve his utility and enhance your musical sense.
We would have thought you to be optimistic about the opportunity to be in power for once. Nevertheless, please be sure to school your disgusted expression on the given day. There will be no room for error once you have taken your first step on that stage.
If you feel any hesitations in competing against a longtime classmate and potential friend, it is best to leave them behind right now. Remember what you were taught every time you were blindfolded and locked inside that dark room where you could only hear your breathing: It is up to you to ensure that you survive.
Wishing you a safe and successful performance,
The ANAKT Corporation
__________
Dear Top 3 Contestant,
Thank you for agreeing to perform for Guardian Urak’s esteemed clientele at the XXXXXX Karaoke Bar in three nights. Recently, there have been a few ongoing rumours regarding your disparaged appearance in front of the media. Your fans are worried that you have lost your drive for Alien Stage and are no longer vying to be the sole winner of the competition. To assuage their concerns and ensure that you live up to the reputation you have built in the aftermath of Round 2, we hope that you will use this opportunity to stand the test of time and prove your talents once again.
Please remember that this is a black-tie event and that you are expected to dress accordingly. Please make sure to tame your wily hair with a sufficient amount of gel. We would also like to inform you that Guardian Unsha’s protégé is likely to be in attendance. You are expected to keep your differences aside for the duration of the event and get along well.
The first song for the night has been decided to be My Clematis. Attached to this letter is the lyric sheet for the same. Please do your best to memorize the lyrics in time for your performance.
Looking forward to seeing you,
The Manager Of XXXXXX Karaoke Bar
P.S. Please be sure to swallow the required medication before proceeding to the bar and put on your most respectful face. No mishaps or ill behaviour will be tolerated.
__________
Dear Future Rebel,
Thank you for successfully finishing your semi-final performance with grace. We know that there was a little struggle in getting you off the stage toward the end, but we are willing to turn a blind eye to the same. After all, it was indeed a rather unsightly scene for you to witness. As the finals are in a few hours, we hope that you will neatly clean the blood off your metal shoes and change into the costume that has been prepared for you beforehand.
Please make sure to clean your mouth thoroughly of any traces of that final kiss. We understand that it was not your desire to make it to the finish line. Regardless, it is what it is. It has already been decided that you are the worthier of the two who performed in Round 6, regardless of any cowardice you may have displayed in the past.
The stars above your head are no longer the same stars from back then. These will carry your wishes well.
Think of it as a belated gesture of kindness from an old friend.
With love,
A Gift From The Gods
P.S. Saying goodbye in this way makes me realize that time really has flown so quickly. If I had known this sooner, I would have gotten closer to you. Perhaps then I wouldn't have to regret so much. I hope you will remember me.