Taiki: This has to be one of the most touching letters I've ever gotten..

Seiya: Can we read?

Taiki: Sure.

Dear Taiki... I didn't know if I should send a letter to you or not. I'm just one in a crowd, and mine probably wouldn't be read.

Taiki: Hey, all of my fans are special to me.

Seiya: We all appreciate our fans as individuals. Even Yaten.

Yaten: Yeah..

But if I'm ever to get anywhere in life I've got to stop putting myself down and start trying to proceed forward. No matter how hard the journey ahead may be.

Taiki: There's no need to put yourself down. In this life, there are too many people willing to do that for you. Just keep that philosophy in mind and press on.

I would just like to express my feelings of gratitude to you... I was going through a hard time in my life and I'd put myself down like this all the time. I didn't really know what to do and was considering... no. I can't put that down. Even though life may be hard at times, I shouldn't take that option.

Taiki: That is an option no one should take. Ever.

Seiya: Right, even the loneliest, most put upon person has something to live for.

Yaten: Sometimes you can't see it, but all it takes is a little searching.

Anyway, I learned about the Three Lights and you caught my attention. You always seemed to want to keep going on. Sure, there where times when you doubted whether things would work out (as did I), but you seemed to get over it. With help of friends, or just reasoning it all out.

Taiki: Persevering was always important to me. No matter how tough things got, or how discouraged I became, I kept my goal in sight. It was never easy.

Actually, when I look at your personality more closely, you're not as cold as you may seem sometimes on the outside. You seem to have a sensitive side that you hide away... Everyone seems to have two sides. Maybe we hide one side because it may make us seem vulnerable, or we don't want people to see us that way.

Taiki: That's very true. I hid my lighter side under a cold exterior because I wanted to distance myself from the people on this planet. I was only here for one reason, to find my princess. However, I learned that I couldn't hide my feelings and remain sane for long. New friends like Usagi, Ami, and Makoto helped me to realize that.

There are butterfly's in my stomach right now, because I don't know if you'll read this letter. I've never told this to anyone else before. I'm not used to tell my feelings to anyone else. I'm also afraid you wouldn't take it seriously. I'm used to not being taken seriously, but only the light hearted Akaiko is used to it. The deeper Akaiko is too weak.

Taiki: Well, I'm taking you seriously right now.

Yaten: We all are.

If I shove the good Akaiko into the spot light for even 10 minutes, she shuts up like a clam the moment she's called upon to speak and it's up to the 2nd Akaiko to speak. Before I've realized it, she's disappeared. And maybe that's why... no I'm sure that's the reason. I think of myself as being happy on the inside, while others think I'm happy on the outside. Akaiko is very pure within, but on the outside she's just a frolicsome little goat tugging on it's tether.

Taiki: You would be suprised at how many people feel just the same way you do. We all have a tendency to paint a different picture of ourselves, one we show to the world. After those layers have built up, it becomes harder and harder to peel back the paint and show everyone the real us.

As I've told you before, what I say is not what I feel. Which is why I have been given the names, happy-go-lucky, known-it-all, and a reader of romances. The happy-go-lucky Akaiko laughs, shrugs her shoulders, makes some remark, and pretends she doesn't give a darn. The quiet Akaiko reacts in just the opposite way. If I'm to be quite honest, then I must admit that it does hurt me and I'm trying very hard to change myself. But I'm always up against a higher force.

Taiki: If you really want to show the world your other side, it takes a lot of work. It also takes a brave heart, and, just by reading this letter, I think your heart is very brave.

A voice within me is sobbing. "You see? That's what you become. You're surrounded by mocking faces, slide remarks, people who dislike you and all because you wont listen to your better half." I've tried to listen, but it doesn't work. Because if I'm quiet and serious, people think I'm putting on a new act and I have to save myself for the joke. And I'm not even talking about my family, who thinks I must be sick, stuff me with aspirins and sedatives, feel my neck and forehead to see if I have a temperature, and berate me for being in a bad mood. Until I just can't stand it and end up getting cross, then sad, and end up turning my heart inside out. The good part on the inside, and the bad part on the outside. And keep trying to become what I'd like to be, and what I could be if, .... if only there where no other people in the world...

Taiki: Never give up. Ever. You will find people in this world who will listen and understand. Maybe you can't find them now, but they're there and I know you must feel them. You found a connection with me, and I know someday you'll feel the same connection with others. Just don't ever give up.

Being in this state and seeing your personality helped me realize that maybe someone out there might understand. I don't know... Just your voice and your way of speech made me think that way. Maybe I'm wrong in thinking that, but it did help me back on to my path. I know I've said a lot here, and maybe it all doesn't make sense. But your personality has had a big impact on my life, and even though we have never met, I think of you as a good friend that seems to be always there. Thank you.

Taiki: I'll always be your friend, Akaiko-chan. Whenever you feel discouraged, just remember me, and I'll be there to help you. When you upset just look at the stars, and I'll be there to comfort you.

Sincerely,
Akaiko