EDIT: I GOT 5TH PLACE, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

ValentineLoveLetter2018

To my dearest and most beautiful Nozomi Tojo. Hello! My name is Orion, or if you want, Ori for short. Being honest, I am not sure where to start. At all. But even then, something in me keeps pushing me to write. And write I will.

Nozomi, there’s just so much that I must tell you, but it all finds its way back to a single point- I love you. Of course, I know I’m not the only one, but given this very special opportunity to actually give you something in return for all of the times you’ve lent me your hand and pulled me out of the dark void my depression sinks me into almost every day, I want to tell you about it.

It all began one more or less distant afternoon after school, two years ago. I was sitting on my couch playing a Medley Festival, when a scouting ticket found its way to me through the rewards at the end of one run. I was still rather naïve and inexperienced about scouting and saving up then, so I used it up immediately.

An SR appeared.

You, from the Magician set.

“Neat!”, I thought. Out of curiosity, I looked up the idolized version, and suddenly realized how utterly blessed I was to have this card in my possession. Your beautiful, long hair. Your serene, emerald gaze, and that soothing and absolutely gorgeous smile. That was the moment I knew my heart had been struck. I had soloed SRs of you before, but none of them compared to this moment.

Ever since that day, I’ve been extremely thankful for continuing to be alive, because I live in the same world as you do. Countless times I’ve wished to isolate myself from my friends and family to rot in my own loneliness, but upon remembering that you’ll cheer me on no matter what, I gain enough strength to smile and face my fears.

I used to know someone. They were my absolute best friend in the entire world, but one day things didn’t go right. A huge fight ensued, and I haven’t spoken to them in over a year. I always felt they were the only person I could seriously believe in. This has been the main source of all my pain, but yet you somehow find a way to make me crack even the tiniest smile when I’m crying at night.

You’re naturally a calming presence, a beacon of light, surrounded by the softest and warmest aura. You’re kind, and have a very soothing sense of humor. You’re motherly, and watch over your friends with incredible care and love. The embodiment of divinity, I’d call it. Like… something ethereal, kind of like you could vanish at any second, like a shadow peeking around a corner, a ray of light, a pale rainbow up in the sky after a rainy day.

Then, came a very fateful day. April 7th, 2017. JPSIF. I had five scouting coupons, and went for the SR/UR box. However, I had no expectations whatsoever for what I wanted, I was just desperate for new cards. That’s when the cherry red envelope of an UR came out, and inside…

I was amazed, baffled, shocked, you name it. After two years of playing SIF, and one after you became my best girl, you came home. My first UR of you ever. I laid in my bed and actual tears of joy welled up in my eyes. I had been trying and working so long, and you answered my call. I told my friends, posted that screenshot in every social media platform I knew of, and it was the single thing I could think of for a few days. What I did to get so lucky and blessed that morning, I don’t know, but I'm thankful.

By that time, I had already started saving up for your birthday box as well. Hanayo’s birthday box was amazing news, and I knew I had to do something for you. I spent the months after her limited boxes saving up every single gem I could. 250 were my final count.

Since I’m a little bit behind the ENSIF’s timezone, I got your birthday box that was supposed to come on the 8th on the 7th; two months after you came home the first time. I downloaded a recording app, and scouted away.

Step ups, just a few SRs, a few were dupes if I recall. I only had two more pulls left. I breathed and prayed.

Yet again, you were here. You came home to me once more, and yet again, I broke down in tears. All I wanted was a single UR, and you made that wish came true.

Since that day, I haven’t gotten much of you anymore, since I’ve focused more on Aqours scouting (and got my three dream URs!), but your birthday is once again close, almost right around the corner, and I’m dead set on giving it my all for you.

Well… I’m a little bit tired of writing now. I don’t know if it’s too little or too much, but I hope that this letter makes you happy, just like you do for me every day. Nozomi, thank you for existing.