Violet Evergarden- Returning Home

Responding Back

Violet stayed silent for a long time, clutching her letter as if it was her lifeline. In fact, to her, it was her lifeline. Her brooch and the letter she had just got.

"Who- I mean, when was this letter sent?"

"Huh? A day or two, give or less." Cattleya said, her smirk unchanging.

Violet didn't respond. Instead, she rushed into the President's office. He was drunk, as always.

"President Hodgins!"

"Violet-san, surprising for you to be alerted." He laughed.

"Did you meet with Sergeant first class L/n?" She said. The 'joke' wasn't funny.

"Oh? Huh?" He looked serious. "Oh shoot!" Hodgins stared at Violet. "I forgot to tell him that you worked here!"

Violet clenched her lips and the brooch. So he did meet him?

"I'll visit him and tell him." His eyes softened again as he lay on the couch. "He had quite the interest for you, you know..."

___

"Violet-san." L/n's voice rang. "Violet-san, do you want to write?"

"If you tell me to, sergeant." Violet responded harshly.

L/n's sigh was visible. "Violet-san. I want you to think on what you want."

"Sir?" Violet asked in confusion.

"I want you to do what you want." L/n's face was calm. "What you want, not the others. Do you have something you want?"

Violet's perplexed face showed. She was genuinely having a hard time.

L/n sighed again. "Violet-san, do you feel good writing?"

Again, silence.

"Violet-san. Do you want to be ordered? Is it mandatory?"

A slow, unsure nod. Of course, she was only 14. L/n was 17 at the time. With both of his parents being dead, though, he had grown exceptionally mature.

"Violet-san." L/n looked with serious eyes. "I want you to live free." he grabbed her shoulders. She instinctively flinched but did not resist. Of course, that was all due to the Major's orders.

"One day, you'll know." His soft smile returned. "And I'll be with you, and you'll get to know what it's like to be free."

___

Violet looked through the window. The white curtain was fluttering against the wind. Outside was vibrant, full of people. She was on a lunch break.

"Sergeant L/n..." She sighed. The person I saw this morning... maybe that was him... She thought.

She sat back down and responded to the letter, using her past skills she learnt from the company, she tried to make it sound as good as possible.

To Sergeant First class L/n.

Thanks for writing to me, sergeant L/n. It was a great help when you sent me the letter. I was still grieving over Major Bougainvillaea's death. Have you heard about him? You probably did with President Hodgins. I am currently working as a Doll at the same company.

How are you doing? What are you doing? Please let me know, and please write to me more.

From, Violet Evergarden.

She passed on the letter to President Hodgins, who said that he knew his address.

An idea suddenly popped. She would find him. Find his address. Go visit him, and tell him how free she was. How happy she was in person. And maybe her sergeant would visit her at the post office more... 

So she requested an early end, which was accepted by the president. "You've been hard with work for a long time, Violet-san. Feel free to take a whole week off if you're still feeling sad." Was President Hodgins' words.

She compromised on a 3-day off. She still needed to work, for it was her responsibility. She eagerly waited for 6PM, working tirelessly. It was as if her depression was gone. As if something warm had popped outside, waiting to be plucked. 

Cattleya said the letter was sent in a premium service, so it would be delivered first priority, so in 2 hours or so.

It was 5 when the letter was delivered. Cattleya herself had gotten there to make sure he got it. She said he was wearing clothes way too formal for what you would wear at home. 

It was 5:30 when she stared clenching her brooch. Finishing her last client's letter, it was 6. 

It was 6, and she rushed out in an incredible speed. She ran for a long time, following the address that President Hodgins gave her, with a thumbs-up.

The house was empty. The landowner said that L/n had just moved out 40 minutes ago. 

___