Correspondence: A Japanese Epistolary Novella 4-1

Four Exchanges　part 1

Dear Takeshi,

I'm sorry for my late reply as well.

While I was wondering what to write, time just slipped away.

But after thinking it over, I realized there’s only one thing I can say.

I support your dream, Takeshi.

I love your manga.

I'm truly happy that you've overcome a difficult time and started drawing again.


The other day, I went to see a movie.

It was only the second time in my life. The first was when I was a child, taken by my aunt.

Back then, it wasn’t just me—my sister, my brother, and our cousins were all there too.

Even when I spotted the concession stand, I couldn’t ask for anything.

This time, I finally bought popcorn and cola—something I’d always dreamed of.

But the sound bothered me, and I couldn’t eat much, so I ended up bringing more than half of it home.

Fulfilling a dream means crossing one item off the list. But just as quickly, new ones get added.

The movie was wonderful.

It was a revival of a foreign film, and I was completely drawn in by the charm of the young girl who played the lead.

The story follows a girl who loses her mother and becomes an orphan. She sets off on a journey with a stranger who claims to be her mother’s former lover.

As they travel together, a bond begins to grow between them—like partners, like a real parent and child.

Only when the credits rolled did I realize that the girl and the lead actor were actually father and daughter in real life.

And that little actress, just ten years old, won an Academy Award for her performance.

It was full of surprises.

It was so good that I felt it was a shame to watch it alone. I thought, “I wish I could see this with you someday.”

The one who recommended the film was my senior at work, Ms. Iizuka.

You remember—I mentioned her in a letter once.

She and I have become close friends now. Your prediction came true.

She knows a lot about movies and many other things, and she teaches me all sorts of things I didn’t know.

We’ve made plans to go have parfaits together at a café on Ichiban Street.

I wonder what parfaits taste like. I’m looking forward to it.

Another dream will be crossed off the list, but I’m sure new ones will take its place soon.

It’s gotten suddenly cold now that December is here.

How’s the snow over there? I imagine it’s deeper than here.

Christmas is just around the corner.

Please take care not to catch a cold.

Yours sincerely,

Kyoko
December 15, 1975 (Showa 50)