Long Story Short

Dear Reader

"Dear Ash,

How are you? Last I heard, you were in Alola, where you'll compete in the region's first Pokémon League. That's exciting! I have a feeling you're going to win it all there. I can feel it in my heart that you're one step closer to becoming a Pokémon Master every day you're on your journey. I'm proud of that."

May sat at a desk beside a night light in a quiet room booked at a Pokémon Center. It was dawn, but the sun hadn't risen yet. Glaceon snoozed in its curled-up position on her bed, but unlike Glaceon, May couldn't get any more sleep. She'd led a celebrity lifestyle for so long that it taught her to wake up before anyone else did. Even if she no longer had to adhere to a schedule, her body remained conditioned to be an early bird. As they say, old habits die hard. While on her journey, she'd use this time to go on brisk morning walks to get her blood flowing or brainstorm new combinations she could test for upcoming performances. Sometimes Blaziken or one of her other Pokemon would train with her until the sun rose. Her dedication to her craft is what made her such a formidable coordinator.

However, this early morning, May's heart directed her to do something else. The only sound was the stroke of her pen as she wrote her letter to Ash. She was alone with her thoughts, which allowed her to focus as if she were practicing for a performance. May decided to throw in a side of self-deprecation as a joke.

"If this were a race, you might become the world's greatest Pokémon Master before I become the world's greatest Contest Master, but we'll see," May gave a light chuckle as the ink dried on her words.

She paused, then slightly frowned. May chose her words carefully, "Anyway, maybe you're wondering why I sent you this letter. Honestly, I'm not sure myself. Sometimes, you pop into my head. Sometimes, I'm reminded of you. The other day, I saw a trainer with a Pikachu on his shoulder. I'm embarrassed to admit I thought it was you until I got a good look at them. I guess I'm writing this because I wanted to check in on you to see how you were."

May's pen suddenly stopped. The coordinator sighed but resumed writing. "Then again, I don't know if this letter will even reach you all the way in Alola." A half-smile formed on her soft face. "Isn't it ironic? Before we reunited, you wrote a letter much like the one I'm writing to you now. Unlike then, I know our friendship remains strong. At least, I'd like to believe so," the coordinator's sapphire eyes softened. I hope I don't regret this. May raised her pen again as she pondered. She worried Ash would misinterpret her letter as an invitation to something more serious. May didn't want to appear regretful over the decision she made when they were last together.

How Ash would react to her letter would depend on the kind of person he was now. Her mind pictured him. She contemplated his personality. Had he changed? Had he matured, or was he still dense? Probably. May's half-smile curved a little more. She concluded that she was overthinking. Ash would only see it as a letter from a dear friend, but did she? The girl rested the pen on the desk. She rubbed her face with slight anguish. Then she leaned back on the chair with her hands behind her head. Her eyes gazed at the ceiling. It was the right call, but still. Truthfully, she missed him. She didn't need him, but she wanted him. Some days, it was easier to resist the feeling than others. Nevertheless, whenever the feeling crept in, she could sense her vulnerability, such as now. May could call or message him, yet she chose to send a letter because it was more intimate than the former or the latter.

Is this even a good idea? May shut her eyes to meditate on it. Without the sound of her writing, there was pure silence. Ash wouldn't think less of her if she didn't contact him. She would bet her heart on it. The trainer made a spot in his heart for every person and Pokémon he befriended. Few things are as treasured as friendships to him. No matter how much time passed, the love for his friends never diminished. It's why May loved Ash.

May leaned forward with a deep inhale. She picked up her pen and continued to write. "Ash, I miss you. I love you. I want to be with you, but I know I can't. Not right now. I'm sorry, but I know our journeys are worth more than the desire I feel for you. If I'm being honest, what helps me is the thought that I know we'll reunite again one day. I can feel it in my heart. You and I belong in each other's lives forever. So, I'll wait for that day as long as it takes. I know it will come." The coordinator exhaled and clicked her pen when she wrote her final words.

She stood up with the letter. The coordinator admired her letter and proceeded to rip it in half. She tore it again and again until it shredded into tiny pieces. The weight on her heart lifted. May managed to overcome the feeling again. "It can wait," May declared with a warm smile. Her fist rested over her heart with the shreds of paper still clenched. The girl realized she felt much better by writing down what she felt. It relieved her of her desire, and she could continue her life as she had done many times. Besides, May recognized it would be better to catch up with him in person. May opened her fist over a trash can to let the shredded letter's pieces fall in. "Until we meet again, Ash," May told herself.