Letter to Zaku
Zaku,
Hey! It was great to hear from you! I got your letter and your pictures! Tanzania looks really nice, but I honestly think anyplace is better than Tokyo, really. At least TomTom, his friends, and the zebras look friendly. Maybe you'll meet other animals and people, just try to be careful of which animals you do make contact with. Give Fathom and Turbo some love for me. Well, if Turbo has gotten out of his carrier by now, I would hope!! I miss them, and I miss you.
Kidoumaru has shown up a lot more lately since he heard you left, but I really don't have the patience for him right now. He did manage to talk me into getting out a little, and we'll probably take a trip to the beach or something soon. I'm not really that interested, but I would like to get out of the house. The tension here has gotten really thick between Hiroshi and Mom, but she hasn't been home as much as normal. My guess would be that things aren't going too well between them. They were suppose to be married in July... and I have a suspicious feeling that marriage is a topic long gone. ... I don't blame Hiroshi, but I'm a little sad to know that Mom doesn't like him. He's been really nice to me lately ever since you're gone.
Which reminds me, something I thought funny, Mom has grounded me - for life - from seeing you. After you left, she came in my room and fussed until she couldn't fuss anymore. Not that it matters, really. I've never really listened to her, and besides, I'm more than happy to take my punishment. After all, it's going to be five months without you. She'll forget all about you by then and my punishment will disappear.
I can't wait until you come back! I know it's still at least four months away, but I've set up a calendar in my room to mark down the days. As soon as you get word that you're coming back though, let me know! I've got it narrowed down to the month, but a week or a day would be great. Of course, I don't mind if you surprise me.
School's out for summer, but I have a lot of catching up to do with my grades and so I've been taking summer classes to catch up. I never meant to let them get out of hand, but at least the principal gave me a second chance. Things have been so hectic lately, which I'm sure you know. I... ran into Kin the other day. We practically ignored each other, except for the dirty stares she gave me, until I finally stopped and told her what happened to you and that you left. She stared at me for the longest time and then turned and ran off. She was almost in tears, I think. I know your relationship with her isn't that great, but I was honestly concerned for her. I don't think she ever meant to be that mean to you... Nothing for you to worry yourself on though, ok? For all I know, I might not see her again.
I've been looking into colleges around the area to see about where I want to go. I have a few entrance exams in about three weeks to try and get accepted to some of them. Wish me luck, because I'd really love to get in to a well-named school and study. I just haven't decided which yet, so I'm trying out for several and see what I think fits me best. How is your schooling going to work exactly? You will be able to graduate with me, won't you? I mean, around the same time? ... I know you missed a lot of class this year, and now that you moved away, I'm not sure how the system works. But hey, either way, we won't have much longer to worry about it. Hey! And maybe you'll figure out something you really love to do while in Tanzania and then you'll know what you want to do with your life. Let me know if you figure anything out.
Hmm.. it's hard to summarize every little thing that's happened since you left, but I think I managed ok. At the very least, I'm starting to do much better and I'm trying to get back on track after everything that's happened. Shugo and I have been taking long walks lately and I get to clear my head easier. He's a great form of stress relief, seriously.
Thank you for your letter, and I look forward to hearing from you again. Please continue to write, and I promise to write back. Things aren't the same around here without you, and so seeing your letter in the mail was truly a source of hope. I know you'll come back, and I'll be here waiting for you. I love you, miss you, and think about you often. Maybe we'll see each other soon, at least in our dreams.
With love,
Karin
PS: I loved the photos, and thought you might like a few, too. Kidou took them for me, and so now I'll get to be in Tanzania with you. I hope you like them. Send some of yourself next time if you can!
