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Dear Ahato,
Happy Birthday!!!
I can't believe I survived another year without you. I miss you so much! What are you, 22 now? Or 23? You're ancient! I hope my awesome sister had an awesome birthday full of presents and cake and adoring fans!
Oh, guess what, Ahato? I'm 15 now! Time flies, am I right? You would not believe how much taller I've gotten. I bet I'll be even taller than you when we finally meet up again! Now that I'm old enough, Ryu Chang has been teaching me how to play Turf War. It's pretty fun. I'm not as good at it as I am at DJ-ing, but Ryu Chang says it takes practice.
You remember my band, right? Ryu Chang, Karla, and Ronnie? I wrote about them in my previous letters. SashiMori is only getting more popular these days, and the band says it's all thanks to me for being such an awesome DJ! I just keep telling them that I got my skills from you. If they think I'm good, just wait until they see the Great DJ Dedf1sh in action!
We're even starting to get popular in other places like the Splatlands. We actually had a concert in Splatsville a couple months ago, it was super cool! Well, actually, it was really hot. I almost passed out afterwards, it was so bad. We all agreed never to play in the Splatlands in the middle of the summer, ever again. It was still lots of fun though. And after the show, we all went out to eat at this local diner, and let me tell you, that was the best kelp salad I've ever had in my life. 10/10 would go again. Who knows, maybe the two of us can go together when you come to visit?
Well, that's enough about me. How have you been doing, Birthday Girl? You really must have struck it big to be gone for 8 whole years! But I swear, I've looked for your albums everywhere, in stores and online, and I just can't find them! I'm beginning to think you didn't even release any! How do you expect your brother to show his love and support for you and your career if you're keeping him from all your music? Frankly, I think it's just rude.
How many fans do you have? Have you found any bandmates? Have you played at any concerts or shows yet? You know, if you'd send me a flyer, I'd clear my whole schedule to show up for you. You do know that, right? I haven't heard you play since I was 7, and I'm starting to forget what you sound like. Emphasis on starting. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you yet! That being said, you better come visit me before I do. Please.
So, I guess that brings us to the less happy stuff.
Ahato, it's been 8 years. 8 years and I haven't heard a word from you. I'm starting to worry, Ahato...
The others are convinced that you've left forever, or that you're... Dead. I know that's not true, though. I can remember the day you left clearly. You told me that you had been given an opportunity that would boost your music career beyond anything I could imagine. And you promised that when you came back, you would be a star. So you promised to come back.
I was happy for you. Don't get me wrong, I still am, but... Less so, I guess. You have to understand, I thought that you meant you'd be gone for a few weeks, maybe a month or two. Ahato, I've waited 8 years. Where are you?
I'm sorry. It's your birthday, I don't want to bring you down too much. I hope that wherever you are, you've found the happiness and success you were looking for. I hope it was worth it.
I see that you haven't taken any of my previous letters, but that's okay, I know you're busy. I'll keep leaving these in our special place, every year, until you come back. Maybe one day we can come back here together and laugh at how silly I'm being, thinking you might be gone forever.
I love you. I miss you. Come back soon.
And, Ahato...
Please, don't forget me.
Best Birthday Wishes,
Paul