Dear Chocolate: Valentine’s chocolate... thank you. I’m... touched that you remembered me. It’s forbidden to exchange chocolates in the German army, but... I can still do it in secret. Heheh... kakinotane* chocolate is what I’d suggest.
*Kakinotane is a small, slightly spicy rice cracker snack.
Kiseru
Dear Chocolate: Yo! Thanks for the chocolate. Valentine’s Day isn’t too popular in the world of the yakuza, so your chocolate showing up was quite the commotion. Set your hopes high for White Day!
F
Dear Chocolate: To the little mutt whose name I don’t know, thank you for the tacky and cheap-looking handmade chocolate. It filled me with such lust and desire... next time, bring some rope as well, won’t you? I’ll bind you up and punish you so • very • well.
Eins
Dear Chocolate: You’re the one who sent me chocolate. I don’t trust anyone outside of my family, and I don’t like people who sneak around. Next time, give your name. If I know who you are, there would be no reason not to eat it. The red ribbon looked nice, at least.
Love1
Dear Chocolate: What’s this!? I was just thinking I’d give ya’ some chocolate too! And I see rii~ight through ya’, y’know?☆ We’re gonna be a couple now, right~~!? ...just kidding. Anyway, take care of my lil bro, pwetty pwease~!! (This letter was hidden on a shelf in his dorm room.)
Squelette
Dear Chocolate: Dunno who sent it, but thanks for the present. But like, really? I don’t even like chocolate that much. Instead, I’d rather we sing, dance, and play it up ‘til we’re mad.☆ If you don’t join me, I’ll toss this shit out without having even a single bite~
Furusato
Dear Chocolate: To the unnamed sender of this present, thank you for the chocolate. I was about to lose sight of my hope, but... you made me remember that love is the strongest force of all. I’ll hold your kind support deep in my heart.
Ieyasu
Dear Chocolate: To you who went so far out of your way to send chocolates to Japan, I extend my greatest thanks. To speak of Valentine’s Day; “Mio Amore”. Having those words on your lips will bring happiness. I’ll send my thanks to you on White Day.
Paul Delvaux (Belgian, 1897-1994), D'après nature au musée d'Histoire naturelle [From nature at the Natural History Museum], July-August 1942. Gouache, watercolour, ink and wash on paper, 98 x 68 cm.