The Flying Letters and the Auto Memories Doll (Part 1) (飛行手紙と自動手記人形 前編, Hikō Tegami to Ōto Memorīzu Dōru Zenpen?) is the fifth chapter of Violet Evergarden Volume 2.
Summary[]
Near the end of a busy work day at C.H Postal Company, Cattleya begs Hodgins to take her to the Aeronautical Exhibition as she wants to take part in the "Flying Letters" program, where letters written by civilians would be scattered from airplanes flying in the sky. Hodgins can't take her because of work, so he suggests that she take Violet instead.
Cattleya goes to the Evergarden mansion to invite Violet, framing it as a mission given to her by Hodgins. Violet agrees to go, surprising Cattleya, who has always found her mysterious and difficult to understand. After questioning her relationships with Hodgins and Benedict and being satisfied with the answers, Cattleya tells Violet to bring paper and a pen with her, as they are going to take part in the Flying Letters program.
Cattleya teasing Violet by poking her cheek.
The two girls head to the festival, which is located near the air force's base. Violet is able to identify all the planes in the air show that is currently underway. After confirming that the Flying Letters won't be happening until much later, Cattleya suggests that they get something to eat while watching the show. Violet is perplexed by the idea of buying food for their taste rather than how well they can be conserved, but Cattleya convinces her that part of her mission is to have fun, and she will teach her how.
The two girls go around the festival sampling all the food. Afterwards, they sit down to write their letters for the Flying Letters program. While Cattleya finishes her quickly, Violet is having trouble because she has stopped writing letters outside of work. Cattleya correctly guesses that Violet is writing to a man and has some fun teasing her. She gets Violet to talk about Gilbert, and she reveals that she is still waiting for him to return, even though she is told that he died. She knows that it's pointless but still clings to the hope because she is convinced that she has no meaning without him.
Cattleya is moved by the depth of Violet's feelings but also sees it as self-destructive. However, she also knows that emotions can't be changed easily. She tries to urge Violet to recognize her feelings for Gilbert as love, but Violet insists that she is a tool for fighting and can't feel love, because otherwise, she is useless to him and will lose the right to stay by his side. Cattleya points out that since the war is over, she no longer needs to fight and there is no reason to think that way anymore. As Violet ponders this, she suddenly spots a man who greatly resembles Gilbert in the crowd. She runs off after him, leaving Cattleya behind.
Cattleya, annoyed at being left alone, decides to read one of Violet's discarded letters to tease her about it later, but is instead deeply moved by the emotions of yearning and sorrow expressed within. Meanwhile, Violet catches up with the man, who has the distinctive Bougainvillea green eyes.
Characters[]
- Cattleya Baudelaire
- Claudia Hodgins
- Lux Sibyl
- Benedict Blue (mentioned)
- Patrick Evergarden (mentioned)
- Violet Evergarden
- Gilbert Bougainvillea (mentioned)
- Dietfried Bougainvillea