Miyako realized something when she woke up.
“...Fuuka-chan?”
It was something like a hunch. The covers, so warm earlier, now held only a single person’s warmth. The cabin was silent. That made it clear to Miyako.
Fuuka-chan’s gone.
Looking out the window, Miyako saw that it was well into the afternoon. What happened to Shan Li’s stand-in? He was supposed to bring us tasty catering every day.
“Fuuka-chan, where are you?!”
After having a quiet panic, Miyako shouted. She rushed into the kitchen. Atop the dining table was a sealed envelope with delicate handwriting on it. Miyako’s hands trembled as she picked the envelope up.
Inside was a letter from Fuuka. It was a parting letter, the customary way to say farewell.
Miyako read the contents in a frenzy.
✦ ✦ ✦
Dear Miyako Florence,
I know ceremonious letters aren’t to your taste, so I’ll spare you the overly formal greetings.
Farewell.
I have thought everything over, in my own way.
My misadventures in cooking, my working in the field, my playing a doctor, these were all firsts for me. If I’m honest, they were so fun I thought I was dreaming. In all those days I spent tightrope walking in the capital as the “lady of the Hamilton family,” I never would have imagined this.
But, I’m sure that our time together was wrong.
So I thought I’d take the arrival of someone from the Reinhardt family as a good opportunity.
I’m returning to the capital.
There’s just no way that two women can enjoy life on their own, without the backing of their families or the help of men. At least, if there is one, I don’t know it.
Miyako, you are so very kind. I understand that now, after living with you. That’s why you extended your hand to me, as pathetic as I am, someone who can’t even find a husband.
That’s how I feel. That’s why, Miyako, I couldn’t bear for you to become unhappy by living with me. Even if your “clairvoyance” shows you where I’m going, please don’t follow me.
Thank you for the fun days we had together. I don’t think I’ll ever forget them.
Yours,
Fuuka Hamilton
✦ ✦ ✦
Miyako bit down on her lip.
“This is... too cruel, Fuuka-chan.”
I decided to make you happy. You’re such a hard worker, you devoted yourself to your father and your fiancé, and I decided to make you happy.
But there’s no point feeling sorry for myself for not noticing her hesitation.
“I’m so gonna catch up to you!”
After all, we still haven’t followed through on our plan to have a picnic. I still haven’t heard you say “I’m happy.”