[To the unnamed gentleman

I’m not sure if you’re really a gentleman, but I feel it’s my duty to reply, so I’m writing this letter. So…….

Um, I’ll drop the embarrassing expressions. From what I see, you’re younger than my sister, which means there probably isn’t much age difference between us. For reference, I turned sixteen this winter.

Aila is my sister. I don’t know what my sister told you, but yes. The ‘fussy sister.’ That’s me.

I don’t know what kind of person you are, but I completely agree with one of your opinions. That Aila has a cold side. I mean, isn’t that why she held a wedding ceremony with someone she just met and left with her luggage packed as if she’d been waiting for it?

And there’s one thing you’re mistaken about that I want to correct. I don’t know how long, in what way, or what kind of conversations you exchanged letters with my sister….. But there’s only one reason why my sister gave you a ‘one-line excuse.’

Because you’re someone she could do that to.

This isn’t something you need to rack your brain over. To my sister, you’re someone she can treat that way. As you said, you were greatly mistaken.

And about being “lovers,” wasn’t that your misconception too? Did my sister really call you her “lover”? Because before marrying a man who owns an old mansion in a province full of roses and a new mansion in the capital, my sister dated most of the men on the island.

Of course, what I mean by “dating”…… they might have considered it dating, but to my sister, it was just that kind of time-killing activity.

Anyway, my sister met every reasonably decent man on the island at least once. Though they weren’t serious relationships, since this island is so small, things never deteriorated too badly. It means that adults have known each other for generations, and no one is crazy enough to carelessly break those relationships.

Is that why my sister started exchanging letters with you? I don’t know how she came to correspond with someone from outside the island. Yes, honestly, this is my biggest interest rather than your feelings or circumstances.

I don’t know how Aila described me to you, but I have to stay indoors almost all day. Even excluding sleep, I spend most of my time in bed.

At best, when I walk out of my bedroom, I only reach the study on the first floor, and I can only go outside on the rare days when I’m feeling well. If I’m not careful, I get sick quickly.

Did Aila tell you this too?

Maybe she didn’t want to talk much about her “fussy sister”? I won’t bother asking what conversations you had.

A “lover” can’t be established by one person’s thoughts alone. You must have either rushed things, or Aila looked down on you. It must be one of those two.

Personally, I’d bet on the latter. As evidence, Aila didn’t tell you her new address. No, from what I can see, she probably didn’t even tell you when the wedding was. It’s difficult to include nutritious information in “just one line.”

Well then, has your curiosity been satisfied?

Since I’ve answered what you were curious about, I’ll ask a few things too.

How did you get to know Aila? Since when have you been exchanging letters? If you still have a bit of kindness left, please send a reply.

Of course, if you’re so angry that you tear up this letter, I can’t help it. But then what else can I do but endure each boring day as usual, groaning in my room?

If you have other questions, feel free to ask more. Though I’m fussy, I’m also family who has watched Aila up close.

The only people who can answer your questions are me or my grandfather, and can you explain the feelings of a crushed young man to my grandfather? Maybe you could, but well. If so, I’ll praise your courage.

On our island, no child has the guts to interrogate my grandfather about anything. The choice is yours.

Not replying is also your freedom, though I might go crazy with curiosity.

I hope you make a wise decision.

The first day of May, Asha]

[To the kind letter thief

Good heavens.

Did Miss Aila “really” get married? Really? Without saying anything about me, she just left like that?

Since you didn’t respect me, I don’t need to use honorifics either. If you feel regret about this part, I hope you’ll adjust your attitude accordingly.

You’re right. I am younger than Miss Aila, and I was born in the same year as you.

I heard about it from Miss Aila before. As you guessed, we didn’t talk much about her “sister.” We focused on each other…… d*mn, it’s even more ridiculous to say it like this.

I was the only one who focused.

Yes, fine.

Does it amuse you to see a man miserably floundering in heartbreak? It’s a comfort to know that it brought some vitality to your boring bedridden life.

And, um, I apologize for calling you a “fussy sister.” Although it’s a mistake—or tragedy—that happened because there was no addressee, I still unnecessarily learned “how Miss Aila referred to you.”

Between blood siblings, it’s better to have a somewhat pretentious aspect. Though “pretentious” sounds quite negative, it ultimately means showing courtesy. My siblings always lack courtesy toward me and…….

I’ve gone off track. Anyway, in return for your unexpected kindness, I’ve decided to satisfy your curiosity.

Though I have nothing to ask you. More precisely, because you revealed the sharp truth that I’m “someone she can treat that way,” I’ve lost all will.

My desire to know Miss Aila’s true feelings, that is, the desire to know that, has dropped! It’s clear that Miss Aila’s sister is just as perceptive and sharp-eyed.

Yes, fine.

Let me explain step by step to the curious letter thief. This is absolutely not because you mentioned being bedridden and ailing. It’s just that as you showed me a small kindness, I’m returning the favor.

Thank you for telling me the cold truth.

That Miss Aila didn’t.care.about.me.at.all…….

Meeting Miss Aila was a product of miracle and chance. We got to know each other in a very romantic way, and we exchanged letters throughout all seasons of the year.

Since letters crossing the sea were so very distant, we couldn’t talk as frequently as the years would suggest, but we shared stories more intimate than with family. It’s extremely private, so I can’t tell even you, her family.

Even with crushed affection, I won’t sell out basic courtesy. Unless Miss Aila goes around gossiping about me.

The village where I live is terribly quiet, and there are hardly any people my age. Do you know what this means? It means my only conversation partners are my clever brother, my loving father or mother, or the elders who have watched me since before I could walk on two feet.

It’s a warm family-like atmosphere, but at our age, we tend to develop small secrets. But this harmonious village doesn’t tolerate me creating secrets.

Then, to be able to converse with someone who lives far away and doesn’t know who I am! How deeply I fell into it, I don’t need to add, right?

Since I’ve answered, I hope Miss Aila’s sister won’t go crazy. Though she cruelly betrayed me, I want to believe the poem she wrote for me was sincere. At least for tonight.

Night comes. I call for your soul. I want to make your soul meet my lips and become one. So that you don’t disappear beyond the falling night…….

Miss Aila seems to be quite good at writing. To think she could come up with such tender phrases while treating me so coldly.

I tried not to think about Miss Aila, but as I wrote this letter, I ended up thinking about her endlessly.

Anyway, I hope your curiosity has been satisfied.

Looking at the snow that hasn’t melted yet, written by Carol]

[To Carol

Born in the same year, that will make our conversation much easier. At least we won’t awkwardly pull rank based on age.

I understand your answer.

Though the clear answers to “when” and “how” are missing.

Come to think of it, there was no address on the envelope of the letter I received earlier. The letter was in our hallway. I even asked my grandfather just in case, but he flatly said, “There are no letters coming to our house except obituaries.”

It wasn’t an appropriate joke for me to hear, but it’s true that no letters come to our house except love letters for Aila.

What trick did you use?

I found this letter lying in the hallway too. Did you secretly open the window while I was asleep, come in, and leave the letter? Or, despite claiming to live far away, are you actually the mailman?

You created a fictional character and played a role-play with Aila. And innocent me got caught up in it unexpectedly.

But no matter how skilled a mailman might be, they couldn’t silently open and close doors that are locked two or three times, so that can’t be it.

At the beginning of this secret must be your first meeting with Aila? There must have been a dramatic and thrilling moment that thoroughly captivated you, who is the same age as me.