*Editor’s note: This is a collection of letters sent by Yamato and Kosaburou to each other during their time apart in the Dan’in. This is not all of them, however; the first letters are still unaccounted for. The editor suspects the authors of said letters do indeed have them, but are unwilling to share their contents.
 
 

    Dear Kosa,

    Today was another day of aimlessly wandering around attacking whatever hapless trainer we came across. I think the excitement of simply terrorizing people is starting to wear off. Yeah, it was fun at first, but now I want something a bit more complex than just pouncing on whoever passes by and demanding their Pokemon.

    In other news today, I’ve decided that I officially hate Musashi. This is way past annoyance and irritation, I truly hate her. Today, for example, I told her that it would be easier to simply demand whatever we wanted instead of putting on a big speech about how great and wonderful we are. She scoffed at the idea, saying that a Rocket member must not only steal, but look good while they are doing it, too. You and I both know that’s bullshit, the boss doesn’t care how dramatic we are, just as long as we steal Pokemon for him. For claming to be a great leader, she sure doesn’t act like one. In fact, we don’t need her at all, since I can do everything better than she can. Except for being a bitch, that is, I can’t compete with her in that category.

    Enough about my complaining, though, how are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while, and I’m beginning to suspect you’ve been taken prisoner by some rabid cop in some backwards no-name town that delights in torturing their captives. Either that or you’re just busy, and I really don’t want to have to go rescue you from the clutches of some psycho town.

                                                                                                                                       Love,
                                                                                                                                       Yamato
 
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    Sorry I haven’t written in a while. True, I’ve been busy with inane, mind-numbing chores, but sheer laziness and procrastination is the main reason why I haven’t written. Quite honestly, being locked up by some deranged cop sounds like a wonderful vacation.

    I know what you mean by aimlessly wandering around, I’ve been doing that too much lately myself. At least with you, you get to actually attack someone once in a while. I find myself roaming around the forests around here without even a hint of someone to ambush. At least the company’s good, though. This one girl, Kumi, is fairly interesting. I must admit, though, she is a bit of a slut, but she is good for a conversation, which is more than I can say about some other companions of mine.

    I’m sorry to hear about your ongoing strife with Musashi. I can imagine what kind of hell it must be for you if she’s really as bitchy as you say. Of course, I’m sure you are giving her just as much grief as she is giving you, if that makes you feel any better.

    I have to go now, the dreaded chores call me. One would think that such an organization like Rocket-Dan would have someone else to do them. Perhaps I’ll put a note about it in the suggestion box.

                                                                                                                                       With Love,
                                                                                                                                       Kosaburou
 
 
 

    Dear Kosa,

    So, you have a girlfriend now, huh? What’s she like? What does she look like? And most of all, Why did you have to befriend a slut?! Seriously, though, I would like to meet her. Too bad the boss decided to assign us to completely opposite sectors. And to think that he said that we would make a great team during our interviews.

    Still nothing exciting going on here. Just the same old find Pokemon trainer, ambush, steal Pokemon and/or money, run, find another Pokemon trainer, etc. Why did you make me finish high school when all we do is go around doing mindless attacking? Sure, it was easy for you, but some of us just don’t have the brains you do.

    Musashi is being a real pain again. I won’t bother you with the details, but just to warn you, don’t be around her when something dares mess up her "perfect face." You know, I’d love to steal her makeup kit one day and toss it into a river, just to see the look on her face when she realizes she’ll have to rely on her "natural beauty" to look good. I can’t believe what an arrogant, selfish person she is.

    But enough of my petty bickering. Before I go, I’d just like to say that yeah, I really hate the chores, too. Returning after a day of wandering around only to have to clean something is not my idea of fun.

                                                                                                                                      Love,
                                                                                                                                      Yamato
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    So, you want to know more about my girlfriend, huh? First off, Kumi really is not my girlfriend, no matter how much you tease me about it. She is roughly our age, and has been in Rocket-Dan for about two years now. She actually enjoys it in the Dan’in, an idea that completely baffles my mind, but I guess different people have different tastes. Anyway, her reason for joining was because she wanted to get revenge on an ex-boyfriend, and has been here ever since. Interestingly enough, she dropped out of high school to join, which is what you wanted to do at one point. Finally, yes, she is what you would consider a slut. She has yet to actually hit on me, but I do think that will soon change. I know what you’re going to say, but personally, I don’t find it all that reprehensible. I guess I’m in a wait and see mood, but something tells me I won’t have the luxury of waiting for very long.

    Now, did I hear whining about high school? Did we not agree that it would be best if we finished it before joining Rocket-Dan? True, it seems pointless now, but we are much more likely to get promoted since we actually took the time to finish our education, as opposed to the flunkies who dropped out. I will hear no more complaining on this subject, and that is final.

    I best be going now, it is late and I am tired, and we have to get up early tomorrow to wander around and do nothing. Ahhh, the joys of being a member of the Dan’in. Who could ask for a better life?

                                                                                                                                    With Love,
                                                                                                                                    Kosaburou
 
 

    Dear Kosa,

    So you say Kumi is not your girlfriend, huh? She sure sounds like one to me. I’ll leave my judgements to myself, but I will say that I think you can do better than that, especially since the only thing she seems to think about is getting laid. My advice to you is to be very careful, before you get persuaded into doing something you may regret later. I shall say no more on this subject, unless you give me some reason to do so.

    Something exciting actually happened today. We were attacking a traveler, just as we usually do, but this time the prick fought back. Not just aimlessly swinging his arms, like some will, this guy was hitting, and hitting hard. Remember how dismayed you were when I got into those fights at school? They actually proved to be useful, since I managed to get behind him and wrestle him to the ground. After I pinned him, the rest of the job was easy. Musashi wasn’t any help, which is something I expected. She simply stood there and yelled at us to get him. Later, I told her that it was a good thing that she stood around and didn’t interfere, since she would’ve just been in the way. You should have seen the look on her face; she was so pissed off. I was right, though, she would have just gotten in the way.

    I better go, seeing as though my eyelids have suddenly gained a few hundred pounds or so. Perhaps tomorrow will have as much fun and excitement as today did. I can only hope.

                                                                                                                                        Love,
                                                                                                                                        Yamato
 
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    Peccavi, Yamato, I have sinned.
    Yes, I did indeed have sex with Kumi. I know you are not going to like it, and I know you’ll tell me that I can do a lot better than this. I really can’t blame you, though, since I would be doing the exact same thing myself if you were the one who just lost their virginity to some slut. Actually, I would probably be worse, a lot worse in fact, considering that I try to chase away any guy that comes near you, and also I know how much you despise sex in general.

    There is a battle between my conscious and the fact that I liked it. I can not tell you that I regret doing it, although I can tell you that I do feel a little guilt over what I have done, not all that much, but some. If I were to honestly tell you what I’m feeling about it, I would say that deep down, I liked it. Of course, if I dig deeper, my conscious is giving me hell. I guess to put it bluntly, if given the chance I would probably do it again, and knowing Kumi, she’ll give me one soon enough.

    I know you’ll be pissed off at me for turning into the one thing you are so vehemently opposed to, namely, a slut, and I am sorry for that. On the other hand, though, I will give no excuses for my behavior, nor will I try to promise that I will stop.

    This is difficult to write, since I know how this will affect you, but at the same time, I never had the same attitudes towards sex as you did. I suppose if my mother did nothing but sleep around, I’d hate sluts too. She didn’t, though, or at least I don’t think so. Given my family, however, it wouldn’t surprise me.

    Finally, since I know you’re going to ask, yes, it was protected sex, since I figure it would be incredibly asinine not to use protection. I hope you don’t decide to kill me when you get this letter, but I will understand if you do.

    Dear Kosa,

    Yes, I am pissed that you had sex with a slut, but not as much as when I first read your letter. Sufficient to say, yes, I would have killed you, or at least inflicted massive bodily harm. I actually wrote a letter that detailed how angry I was, and how dismayed I was with your actions, not to mention the massive tongue-lashing I gave you. As you can see, though, I didn’t send it. Instead, I decided to sleep on it, seeing if I still felt the same way in the morning. My attitude did change just enough for me to not send the letter, fortunately for you. I spent the whole day thinking about what you did, and this letter is the end result.

    So, yes, I am still not happy about did, but I also know that you can make your own decisions, even if it is turning into a male slut. What I really want to do is to drag your ass over here and give you a piece of my mind, but not only is that physically impossible, but it also wouldn’t do any good. You made up your mind, and there is really not much I can do to change it.

    Of course, this understanding goes both ways. I’ll accept your little flings, but you have to stop escorting me away whenever I so much as talk to a guy. I know you are trying to protect me, but the fact is, I really don’t need protecting. I am capable of taking care of myself, and you of all people should know this.

    It is late, and all these emotions and thoughts have worn me out. I think if we both try to be more accepting of each other’s actions, everything will go a lot smother, and we won’t be constantly yelling at each other.

                                                                                                                                        Love,
                                                                                                                                        Yamato
 
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    I’m glad that you eventually decided not to kill me, even though at first it sounded like you really wanted to. I know how much you do not like this, so I know how hard it was for you to accept what happened. I must tell you, though, I did indeed have sex with Kumi again, just like I said I would if given the chance. I guess it isn’t as big a deal the second time, at least to me, anyway, but I thought you should know.

    Now, about your insistence that I stop chasing away every guy you come across. I know I do that, and I am aware of your annoyance of it. I guess it’s the fact I was the oldest of my siblings, but I do feel the need to protect you, even though I know you can take care of yourself. I will try my hardest to stop being overly protective, but it will be hard for me. Just whack me on the head whenever I try to escort you away from a guy. Perhaps it is a good thing that we got separated, it gives me a chance to accept the fact you will in fact interact with other guys, and that you can take care of yourself just fine without me.

    I would write more, but nothing else has happened here. Nothing ever seems to happen, and I am constantly being confronted with boredom. Your letters are about the most exciting thing in my life, so you can see how bad off I am. Until I hear from you again, take care.

                                                                                                                                        With Love,
                                                                                                                                        Kosaburou
 
 
 

    Dear Kosa,

    You seem a little depressed. Actually, you seem more than just a little depressed, but that’s beside the point. What’s up? Is it the aimless wanderings that seemingly have no point to them? Maybe it’s the fact you’ve been sleeping with a slut, and are slowly turning into one yourself. Or perhaps it’s because I essentially told you off and said that I don’t need you to protect me anymore. Whatever it is, please tell me, before I start getting a little too worried about you.

    Perhaps this will cheer you up. Just yesterday it was announced that Musashi would be transferred over to another sector, and that someone else would be taking her place. Damn it, I wish I were the one being transferred, preferably to where you are. At least she won’t be in my life anymore, though. Musashi seemed excited over the news, I wonder if she was that sick of us, or maybe she knew someone in that sector. Who knows, who cares, at least she’ll be gone. I do hope the new person isn’t as irritating. Of course, compared to Musashi, I don’t think anyone can be.

    Seeing as though you are already depressed, I won’t say anything about your recent activities with Kumi. Actually, nothing at all needs to be said, since we’ve already been through this, and we both know each other’s feelings. I will say that I am glad that you are at least trying to stop being so overprotective of me. Don’t worry, though, I will be sure to whack you one upside the head if you start ushering me away from a guy.

    I do hope you feel better. I know I won’t feel all that great knowing that you’re depressed. I’ll be waiting impatiently for your next letter.

                                                                                                                                            Love,
                                                                                                                                            Yamato
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    So, you were able to pick all that up just from my letters, huh? You are right, though, I am depressed. Depressed, bored, and lonely, actually. The truth is, I miss you, a whole lot, in fact. If you were here, I would at least have someone to share the boredom with. Maybe that’s why I started sleeping with Kumi, to have a false sense of companionship. I say false because I know that once we go our separate ways, we’ll never give each other another thought. Quite honestly, I do not care very much about her, one way or another. I know you’ll ask the inevitable question of why do I have sex with her if I don’t care about her, and my answer is that I don’t know.

    No, I do know, but the reason I have is not a good one. The reason I have sex with Kumi is because I like having sex. I guess what this means is that I would have sex with anyone, but she just happened to be there.

    I think this is depressing me even farther, since I know you’ll start badgering me about this, and frankly, I don’t blame you. God knows I would be so much worse if you were the one having sex.

    To change the subject, I’m glad to hear that Musashi left, if only because she will no longer be a thorn in your side. Of course, I would assume that she was just as glad to be rid of you as you were of her. Tell me about this new person as soon as you meet him, or her, for that matter. I do hope you get a more agreeable person, so that your life can be that much easier for you.

    I hope this letter doesn’t cause you too much grief. If it does, I’ll be sure to come over there to help you feel better, and then you can whack me on the head for being a slut. I think I need it.

                                                                                                                                    With Love,
                                                                                                                                    Kosaburou
 
 

    Dear Kosa,

    To say that I’m upset that you’re depressed would be an understatement. Quite honestly, though, I’m feeling the same way you are, depressed and lonely. I was just too busy bitching about Musashi to realize it. Now that she’s gone, though, there’s nothing left to distract me. This is the longest by far we’ve ever been apart. The only time that comes even remotely close was when my mom took me to some crappy family reunion for a few days. How long has it been since we actually saw each other last? A year? That’s much too long to spend apart. Thinking about it makes me even more depressed. You’ll just have to come over here and cheer me up, since it’s obvious that this is causing me too much grief. Then I can whack you one while I’m at it, too, since you asked for it.

    In less depressing news, I finally got to meet the new person. Her name is Masumi, and she has medium length black hair, and icy blue eyes. That’s about all I can tell you about her, really. She generally seems like a cold person, and has yet to say more than two words to any of us. I hope she doesn’t stay like this. I remember when I first got here, I was so lonely, and I hardly talked to anyone. Perhaps she needs some time to get to know us. I hope that’s the case, I really don’t like the idea of replacing a fiery tempered bitch with an ice-cold one.

    As much as I enjoy going on about how much I miss you, I need to get to sleep. I hope you feel better, I know I’ll try to.

                                                                                                                                                Love,
                                                                                                                                                Yamato

    PS. I know you were expecting some sort of ranting on my part about your sex life, but I figure you really don’t need my bitching, since not only are you depressed enough, but you also already know what my feelings are.
 
 
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    You will be happy to know that I am feeling a little better. Of course, now you’re feeling bad, so there’s another thing to worry about. I hope you start feeling better soon, depression does not look good on you. I would give you a hug, but, unfortunately, my arms are not long enough. Perhaps the fact that I am not so depressed will cheer you up.

    One of the reasons I feel better is because we are actually doing something now, thus reliving my boredom. I do believe that a Pokémon tournament is being held around here, thus the windfall of trainers to attack. I never thought I would be grateful for seemingly mindless assaults on travelers. Nothing like extended inactivity to make you appreciate the smaller things in life. Also, since I have something to do, I no longer have the time to dwell on more depressing matters. Of course, once the tournament is over, the victims will most likely stop coming, and we will be reduced to the same aimless wanderings as before. I can hardly wait.

    So, the new person is a quiet one, huh? I suppose getting transferred to a new sector would make anyone shy at first, but if she is as cold as you say she is, she might never open up. On the bright side, however, at least you did not inherit another loudmouth, as you said Musashi was. That should serve as some comfort to you.

    Perhaps this letter will cheer you up. It made me feel better by writing it. Of course, if this gets any worse, I could call you; the cost be damned. I do hope you feel better soon.

                                                                                                                                        With Love,
                                                                                                                                        Kosaburou
 
 

    Dear Kosa,

    I’m certainly happy to hear that you’re feeling better. Now I won’t have to worry about you so much. I’m also glad to hear that you’re actually doing stuff now. Being busy always takes your mind off just about anything. I wouldn’t worry about what happens after the tournament, either. I figure by that time something will come up, like you getting transferred here, or maybe I’ll get transferred over there. Of course, we could get promoted, although I don’t know how realistic that would be. We can hope though, right?

    I myself have some good news to report. Masumi, the new member, has opened up a bit, and is actually talking to me. From the limited experiences I’ve had with her, I really don’t think she’s the bitchy type, just a generally quiet, reserved person. To pass on what I know about her, she’s about a year older than we are, joined about the same time we did, and also hates it in the Dan’in. Not all that much info, I know, but at least she is having conversations with me.

    I would be very happy if you called me. How about Tuesday of next week? That should be enough time for this letter to get there. Same number as last time, 555-09-5786, and the later the better, actually, since that’s the only time I can have a little bit of privacy; unless, of course, you want everyone else to overhear our conversation.

    I will be waiting impatiently until you call, and don’t worry about the cost, I’ll gladly pay half.

                                                                                                                                                Love,
                                                                                                                                                Yamato
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    I guess the best way to tell you this is just to say it. Kumi was killed today. She was shot during an assault. We never even knew they guy had a gun. One minute we were about to jump him, the next, there were gunshots, and Kumi was on the ground, her blood staining the grass. We attacked him, and the gun was knocked out of his hand. I took it, and then, just like that, I blew his brains out. The whole incident didn’t last longer than a minute, but, as the cliché goes, it felt like an eternity. Everything had almost a dreamlike aspect to it, like I was watching it happen, instead of actually being there. We carried Kumi’s body back to headquarters, and I guess her parents want to bury the body themselves. Funny, I didn’t even know she had parents.

    The investigation of the matter by headquarters was straightforward. I told them that someone pulled a gun and killed a member, we struck back, the gun came loose, and I shot him. The official reason I gave was because I thought the guy might have another gun and kill someone else. It was a good enough reason for them, and I suppose it was partially true, but if I were honestly tell you, I couldn’t tell you why I did it. Perhaps it was out of revenge, seeing another member killed right in front of me. I really don’t know.

    On a brighter note, I did enjoy the phone call. Hard to imagine how much different you look since last time we talked. We should call each other more often, even if it does mean spending our entire salaries paying for it.

    I need to get some rest. What a day this has been. Perhaps I’ll give you more insight next time. Until then, I hope you don’t get shot.

                                                                                                                                            With Love,
                                                                                                                                            Kosaburou

    I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry that you had to go through that, I really am. I must admit, though, that there’s a part of me that is happy that Kumi is dead, just so you won’t sleep with her anymore. I know it’s incredibly selfish and heartless, but I thought I should tell you anyway.

    How are you handling it? The immediate shock should have worn off by now, so tell me how you are feeling. Tell me what you thought of the whole thing. I probably would have done the same thing you did, grab the gun and start shooting, most likely at a vital spot on the guy’s body. I don’t know how I would feel, though, I guess it would depend on the situation. Perhaps the only way to find out is by going through the ordeal.

    To change the topic, Masumi is talking to me even more. She doesn’t talk very much to anyone else, though. That’s fine with me, though, I could use the friend right now. She says that she joined because she got screwed twice by life, and is getting revenge. Sounds a lot like our lives. Once by the death of her parents when she was very young, the other by the fact someone stole her inheritance money while it was in a trust fund. When she went to pick it up to start a new life, the account had been closed some time ago. I asked her who raised her, and she told me about the orphanage, and also about how much she hated it, since she felt completely alone there. She probably had it worse off than we did; all three of us had a shitty childhood, but at least we had each other, Masumi had no one.

    I should go now, it is getting late. I do hope you are feeling all right about what happened. I’ll be impatiently awaiting your next letter to find out how you are.

                                                                                                                                                Love,
                                                                                                                                                Yamato
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    Well, I have gotten over the initial shock, and have been thinking about it. Don’t feel too bad about being happy because of Kumi’s death. I myself felt little sorrow when she died. I did not realize how little I actually cared about her until after she was killed. Interesting how it’s the opposite of what is usually the case with caring and death. She’s gone now, though, and, as you said, I won’t be sleeping with her any longer. Some part of me is feeling relived by that; I’m sure it’s my conscience.

    I must tell you, I felt absolutely nothing when I killed that guy. No guilt, no remorse, nothing, it was just something I did. Even after thinking about it, I still feel nothing. I must also tell you, when you kill someone, you will have the exact same emotional response, namely, nothing. I say when because we will all eventually kill someone during the course of our career here, in fact, many people. I also say that you will feel nothing because you and I are exactly alike in this way; we don’t really give a shit about what we have to do to achieve our goals, just as long as we achieve them. If it means killing, then that is what we will do. I myself didn’t realize this until after I killed that guy. Trust me, though, it is definitely true.

    I’m glad that you are finding a new friend. It will help you cheer up, and it will leave me with one less thing to worry about. Now, if only I could get a good friend, everything will be just fine. Sometimes I do wonder what life would be like if I never met you. I would imagine I would be a whole lot worse off, that’s for sure.

    Think about what I said, and tell me if it is true. I can almost guarantee that it is; it was for me, and you can be even more determined than I am. Until then, I’ll be waiting to hear your response.

                                                                                                                                    With Love,
                                                                                                                                    Kosaburou
 
 

    Dear Kosa,

    I think you are right, we will stop at nothing to achieve our goals. That might be a good thing, especially at our job, but do you realize how dangerous that would make us? If even murder is nothing to us, what is there to stop us? I find the concept thrilling in it’s own way, but as you said, It’s like I knew it all along, but never realized it. I suppose that there will be some shock the first time I watch someone get killed right in front of me and/or kill someone like with you, but most likely that will fade away very quickly. I wonder just how long it will be until we think about killing someone only for the duration of the time it takes to pull the trigger. I’m guessing not long at all; you might be there already.

    On the lighter side, I was talking to Masumi again. She’s definitely a nicer person once you get to know her, although I’m the only person she actually does bother to get to know better. In fact, rarely do I see her talk to anyone but me. I don’t mind, really, I certainly could use the company. She doesn’t talk about her former teammates, though. I asked her about it, and she brushed off my question and quickly changed the subject. I guess she had a bad experience and doesn’t want to bring it up. Why else would she avoid talking about it? I’m starting to wonder what could have happened to trigger such a reaction. Yet another thing to occupy my mind so I don’t have to worry about you so much.

    I should go, I have to get up early tomorrow. Another fun filled day of walking around aimlessly and attacking the occasional traveler awaits. I can hardly wait. I eagerly look forward to your next letter.

                                                                                                                                        Love,
                                                                                                                                        Yamato
 
 

    Dear Yamato,

    I have great news for the both of us. I’m going to be transferred over to your sector in 2 days. I can hardly wait to see you again; it’s been much too long since we last had a chance to actually see each other. Of course, by the time you get this, I might already be there; not to mention the office down there will inform you shortly as well. Thus, by the time you get this, it will be old news. I don’t mind, I’m so elated about the news, how could I not tell you about it as soon as possible?

    Think about how much happier we will be once I transfer over there. No more depression from not seeing you in over a year, no more painfully dull days of aimlessly wandering around doing nothing, the chance of being whacked on the head for turning into a slut, I’m getting excited just thinking about it. Of course, I’m sure you’ll be thrilled I’m there. I know you missed me just as much as I missed you.

    Finally, yes, I do know what you mean about thinking about killing someone only for the amount of time it takes to pull the trigger. I will agree with you there; I probably am at that point already. Also, since you realized this before you actually killed someone, I am willing to bet that you won’t have near the shock I did when I first killed someone. It is true that it makes us very dangerous, but isn’t that what we always wanted?

    It will be extremely hard to wait until I can see you again. Only another 2 days though, I should be able to see you this Friday if all goes well. Until then, though, I will be anxious for that day to arrive.

                                                                                                                                    With Love,
                                                                                                                                    Kosaburou