To Taro Yoshikawa (March 31, 2025)
Hello, I am writing to you as I always do.
I intended to write one last paper letter, but I just couldn't find the right words until today, so I decided to cast them into the sea of the internet and pray that they reach you.
That said, I don't think the words I'm writing today are very well-put either, but since it's the end, I felt I had to write them all out today, so I'll do my best.
I fell in love with you, Taro-kun, in the autumn of 2021. You had just turned twenty, were much slimmer than you are now (lol), and it brings back such memories—it's already been over three years, hasn't it?
I'm not strong enough to carefully look back on every little memory; I start crying just thinking about them, and I can't even put them into words, so I'll refrain, but it was truly fun.
I keep remembering strange things, like how you suddenly got into push-ups back then and would report on your push-ups in some magazine every month. Or how you'd suddenly start doing push-ups at magazine interview locations. You did them at 8beat, too. Come to think of it, at last year's Shomon Raifuku, I was surprised when you suddenly started doing push-ups during your comeback performance after being unwell. Your push-ups are a good omen, so I certainly want to see them at New Year's, but please don't push yourself too hard.
Why did I start talking about push-ups? But thinking that I won't even be able to hear such stories and laugh at them anymore makes me feel lonely, and in the end, I can't stop the tears.
Do you remember saying at the Tsuyu-tama concert on June 25th, "I want you all to come see us (in the future)"?
I have always remembered that. At the time, I thought it might be impossible to see everything, but from then on, I was able to go see everything.
At another performance, you also said, "I will never forget the faces of the people who came to Tsuyu-tama," didn't you? Do you remember? Are you still keeping that promise?
I think it's inevitable that you might forget my face someday, but I would be happy if you could remember that there was a person like me who loved you so much and who received so much energy and happiness thanks to you. That there was someone who was kept alive thanks to you, and that you have that much power.
When you said, "Thank you for bringing me to Tokyo," at Summer Station, I remembered Tsuyu-tama and thought about how far we had come.
I had always lived in a world where Osaka was the place I went to see you, and Tokyo was my city, so it felt a little strange that you were coming to Tokyo to hold concerts.
I was very, very happy that you came to Tokyo.
Not just Tokyo and Osaka, but you also took me to places like Nagoya and Fukuoka, where I probably wouldn't have gone if it weren't for you.
It was so much fun.
Honestly, I was happy, always and forever.
For these past three and a half years, I have been kept alive by you, Taro-kun. I received so much happiness and energy—the happiness I received is more than I can hold in both hands, but I don't want to put it away in a treasure chest just yet, so I think I will live on holding it for a while.
I wrote this in my previous letter and the one before that, but the words I have been writing in my letters for over three years—"I hope your dreams come true" and "Please let me support you for a long time"—my feelings haven't changed at all since I first wrote them.
Also, the fan I held at the New Year's concert that said, "My fourth year as a fan of Taro-kun, let's keep going,"—I feel so sorry because I feel like I ended up making you lie, but even if I can no longer call myself a fan, there is no lie in my desire to support you.
Whatever your new path may be, even if it is a place I cannot see, I will always, always pray that your dreams come true. I am rooting for you.
Perhaps our paths will cross again somewhere, so I have decided not to write any words of farewell.
Thank you so, so much for showing me so many different sights and for giving me so much happiness.
I was able to live thanks to you.
I'm sure it will be difficult to dive into a new environment, but I have no doubt that you, Taro-kun, will definitely reach your goals.
Please live happily.
Please take care of yourself.
I hope your dreams come true, Taro-kun. I will continue to support you for a long time to come.
I love you, and thank you for all the happiness and the sparkling scenery.
2025.3.31