EriChido Letters

**Erika's Letter**

To my beloved Chidori,

First off, let me get this out of my system. What I'm about to tell you is super embarrassing and I don't think I have the confidence to tell them straight to your face, so you will have to make do with this letter.

Remember that talk about "our dream" the other day? It made me really happy that you had took me seriously. After all, I was sure that you'd laugh at me. It's been weighing on my mind ever since Sister Basquiat gave me some career guidance.

Chidori, I've been thinking about our future together. I'm aware that I'm a tactless, troublesome and a difficult person to deal with. But even as shortcoming as I am, there is one thing, no, make that two things I can say with confidence. The first is that I love books to death, and the second is that you, Takasaki Chidori, is the most important person in my life.

Since you're so prone to jealousy, I bet this is where you'll say "Then how do you feel about Shirahane-san?" or something. Let me preface this by saying that while Shirahane is my dearest fellow bookworm, you are my "greatest partner". How's that for a statement? So set your heart at rest. The one I chose to be my partner is none other than you, Chidori. I adore you from the bottom of my heart. Insecure as I am, the only thing I take pride in is the fact that I love you, Chidori. Now do you understand why this is so embarrassing to tell you in person? Dare I say that even in letter, it still sounds mortifying! That's why when it comes to my future with you, I struggled to think of how we can be together. I kept thinking and thinking, my mind going in circles, obsessing over unnecessary things. It was then Sister Basquiat's words rang to my mind.

I told you that "I'm going to become a director", right? The answer is always so simple. This is my stand. I cannot be in your shoes, nor can I carry your burden. And for always being so dependent on you, I'm sorry. At the very least, I wanted to do something for the one I love.

I had discovered my dream. The suggestion I got from the person I admired, in becoming a "director", I can make Chidori shine brighter on the stage. You're not alone in wanting us to stay together, you know?

By no means are we living in a world where the real stage is exactly like how a young girl imagines, however. But that won't deter me. For your sake, I will do my best. Just like in that last ballet recital. I want to make Chidori shine the brightest. Still, a novice like me might be unreliable for you to count on. Even so, I want to make Chidori happy in my own way.

Chidori, I love your hair. I love your voice. I love your beautiful posture. I love your scent. I love when you show me your jealous side. How you can be unexpectedly sweet made me fall harder. I love watching your beautiful sleeping face as you lie in the bed next to mine, your soft hair that made me reach my hand to touch but unable to, even that distance is very dear to me.
Chidori, I love everything about you. It's the truth.

I would rather die than to lose sight of that truth, or to part with you.

That's why Chidori, so that your, no, our dream, comes true, let's grow together. Right now, I can only say that you are my "greatest partner", but come the day our dream comes true and I'll finally have the confidence to tell you: "Yaegaki Erika loves Takasaki Chidori more than anyone in the world, for she is my most beloved." At the present, the best my weak self can do is to put her feelings into letters, in any form of communication lest she fail to convey her resolve. Even if just a little, I wish that it could reach your heart. So Chidori, do what you wanna do and earnestly push forward. I'll support you in every way I can, always.

We who had the worst meeting amidst Summer's dazzling light will someday, someday own the spotlight of the most amazing stage in the world, basking in that limelight and sharing laughter together

From your partner, Erika

**Chidori's response**

To my beloved Erika,

Erika, thanks for giving me such a wonderful letter. As this is the first letter I have received from you, I can barely contain myself. I was beside myself, thinking you have written some bad things about me, but it's nothing like that at all. Instead, my heart was filled with all the feelings Erika has laid bare to me.
Geez, I want to hug you so bad right now.
You have the habit of being embarrassed and completely clamming up when it comes to telling me these kinds of passionate stuffs.
(Sometimes, I wish you would just straight up tell me)
But I'm really glad. Knowing how precious I am to Erika makes me the happiest girl on Earth. Even so, letters are really amazing. It feels like magic for Erika to write something so wholesome like that. After all, I know how difficult it is to convey feelings, delicate as they are, into words, especially those in the innermost of our hearts.

Since I don't think you would give me that kind of heartfelt letter again, I'll treasure the one I've received forever. Embarrassing as it is, even if you say you want it back, don't think I will let you.
And thank you for telling me about your dream. A seriously worried Erika about the things she's decided is not a laughing matter, nor does it not make me happy to know that you'd put me first in everything. I really think you should have more confidence in yourself, Erika is such a fierce and wonderful girl, after all.
Still, the reason you wanted to become a stage director is owing to the encouragement of your "admirable Dahlia-sensei" huh? Did you write that to make me jealous?
It can't be helped that I'd get jealous though; it's Dahlia-sensei we're talking about. And Erika is so criminally cute, you ought to acknowledge your own cuteness already!
Then there's the thing with Shirahane-san. "What do you mean she's your 'dearest bookworm buddy'!? No matter how you slice it, that feels so much more intimate than 'greatest partner'! It's unfair! I don't know you anymore!"

The younger me would have pressed Erika for answers and lashed out like that.
Though it's a little vexing, gradually, I was able to see that girl's charm. For Shirahane-san, the essence of her being is the kindness she possessed, right?
So I believe you, for that girl has become a precious friend to me as well.
But there might be times I can't control myself and get jealous. I wonder, do you notice it yourself, that sometimes you have such a longing look in your eyes as you gaze upon Shirahane-san?
No good. I mustn't go that far.
Well... it's fine. For now, look at her all you want. I will grow and flourish, and become so attractive in your eyes that you will no longer want to look at other girls again.
Because the one who completes you is me.

Hey, Erika.
Before enrolling in St. Angraceum academy, I thought that I could achieve my dreams all by myself by any means necessary. But then I met Erika, and experienced many things which ultimately changed me. Thanks to everyone, I have changed. As such, I'm so happy to have you in my life, being my partner and pursuing our dream together.

Erika has already become a precious part of me, and I will never let go of your hands.
You will be by my side the moment I stand as Broadway's no. 1 actress. Firmly next to me, the one they called Yaegaki Erika — "my most beloved partner".
In that moment, I want you to hold me tight, whispering those exact words to me.
Softly, letting no one but me hear it.

Erika, I really love you. I love you with all my heart.
I love everything about you. Truly.
But, if I could only choose one thing I love about you, then that'd be-

"I love Erika's innocent smiling face when she's eating her favorite food the most".

From your partner, Chidori

**Translated by @FlowersGungnir**

**Original 1 @mikisugina**
**Original 2 @mikisugina**