HWA Message Board: A Glimpse into the Past, Part 2

The Kiriyama Estate
Okinawa, Japan
2015

The balcony was bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting Okinawa sun. Six months had passed since Sean Parker’s groundbreaking spinal surgery. Six months of post-op checks, tests, brutal rehabilitation, learning to walk again, learning to live again. An endeavor that wouldn’t have happened if not for the love, the care and the faith put in him by Sensei Kiriyama.

So, when he had told Sean of his intentions to go back to Japan, Sean couldn't stand by and let him go alone. Aunt Wisdom and Uncle Butch were now in ownership of HWA and had their hands full so Sean felt he didn’t really have anything keeping him Stateside. Back home in Scotland, his Aunt Diana, and little cousins, Sarah and Jake were happy too and living full and fulfilling lives.

So, Sean felt he had no choice but to get out on his own and find himself. After all, he had spent so long stuck in a wheelchair, on the precipice of giving up to then suddenly having his life back; he didn’t really know what his purpose was. Maybe it was in Okinawa, maybe it wasn’t. But he owed it to himself to try.

Sean stood shirtless on the balcony, his hands resting on the railing as he gazed out at the breathtaking view of Futamigaura Beach in the distance. The turquoise waters of the Genkai Sea shimmered under the fading sunlight, and the gentle breeze carried its scent through the cool air.

Sean’s mind was lost in thought, absorbing the serene beauty of the island; a stark contrast to the fast-paced life he had left behind in Los Angeles. He wondered how Uncle Butch was getting on running HWA and what might’ve been had he not been injured. Would he still be there? Would he have been as successful as his uncle? But yet somehow, staring out onto the incredible sight before him, it didn’t really matter anymore.

Unbeknownst to Sean, walking onto the balcony behind him was Sensei Kiriyama’s beautiful daughter, Azami, a small tray of tea in her hands. She hadn’t expected anyone to be there, so when she looked up and saw Sean, she froze. Her breath caught as she took in the sight of his toned, muscular back. Flustered, she quickly looked away, her cheeks warming with a hint of embarrassment.

However, she found herself having to quickly collect herself as her eyes were drawn back to the long, snake-like scar tracing down Sean’s spine. Her initial embarrassment faded, replaced by a mix of curiosity and concern. She softly cleared her throat.

(Azami): Sean-san... I-I didn’t realize you were here.

Sean turned at the sound of her voice, offering a small, apologetic smile. He noticed her eyes lingering on the scar and instinctively shifted his stance slightly, as if to hide it, though not entirely.

(Sean): Gomen, Azami-san. Watashi wa... um, wasurete…

Sean paused, searching for the right word. He was getting better at Japanese but he found himself at a loss.

(Sean): Ah... lost… in thought...

Azami smiles warmly, amused by his effort. She corrects him gently.

(Azami): Wasureta no wa “lost” desu. Kangae ni fukeru?

Sean chuckled, scratching the back of his head in mild embarrassment.

(Sean): Right, right... Kangae ni fukete imashita. This view, it’s just…

Again, Sean tried to search for the word.

(Sean): Um… Subarashi?

Azami laughed softly, charmed by his earnest attempt.

(Azami): “Subarashii” desu. You’re close! And yes, it really is beautiful, isn’t it?

Azami placed the tray down on a nearby table, and walked closer to the balcony, still maintaining a respectful distance. Her eyes flickered back to the scar on Sean’s back, something he wasn’t ignorant to and, rather than shy away, he decided to address it directly.

(Sean): Kore wa…

He gestured to the scar.

(Sean): Surgery... ah... shujutsu no ato desu. My spine was damaged a few years ago. They didn’t think…

He hesitated for a moment, searching for the words.

(Sean): Aruku…

Sean made a walking motion with his fingers.

(Sean): …Again.

Azami’s expression softened, her initial embarrassment now replaced by empathy.

(Azami): I see... Sore wa hontōni muzukashikatta deshou ne. You’ve been through so much, Sean.

Sean nodded, turning back to the view, the tension in his shoulders easing as he continued, switching back to English.

(Sean): Yeah. It wasn’t easy. But, I’m here… in a place where I never imagined I’d be. Funny how life works out, right?

Azami stepped closer, now standing beside him at the railing. Together, they looked out over the beach, the sun now just a sliver above the horizon.

(Azami): Life has a way of surprising us, in ways we never expect…. I’m glad you’re here, Sean. This place… would be quite boring without you.

Sean looked at her, smiling lightly. He decided to try one more time in Japanese.*

(Sean): Arigatou, Azami-san. Sore wa... uh…

He struggled to finish the sentence.

(Sean): Sore wa... watashi no kokoro... um...

Azami couldn’t help but laugh gently, understanding his intention.

(Azami): You mean “watashi no kokoro ni todokimashita”.

(Sean): Yes, exactly! Thank you. That meant a lot.

The two stood there together, the sky darkening around them as night began to fall. The sound of the waves filled the comfortable silence.

(Azami): It is. The beauty of this place... it’s hard to find the right words.

Sean’s eyes instinctively glanced around, taking in the beautiful landscape before him.

(Sean): This place… it’s like a postcard, right? It’s so different from what I’m used to back in LA.

(Azami): Okinawa has its own rhythm, its own sense of time. But it’s clear your thoughts are elsewhere, Sean… Perhaps back in America? In LA?

Sean smiled. She was good.

(Sean): Yeah… LA. It’s hard to put into words. The city is alive, buzzing with people and energy, y’know? The streets are packed, the buildings tower over you, and there’s always something happening.

(Azami): It sounds exciting, almost… overwhelming. Like Tokyo.

(Sean): It is, in its own way. But it’s not like that here. The air’s heavy, the traffic’s mad, and the pace… well, let’s just say it’s nothing like the calm you have here….

Sean couldn’t help but let out an irony-laden chuckle.

(Sean): …But it’s home.

Azami listened intently, a mix of curiosity and something deeper in her azure gaze.

(Azami): And your life there? Your home?

Sean’s expression softened as he thought about Azami’s question, turning to look at her.

(Sean): Home was a one bedroom apartment in Pasadena; nothing fancy. I had a family…friends….

Azami sensed the ache in his words.

(Azami): You miss them.

(Sean): Every day. But…

Sean hesitated for a moment, looking at Azami and smiled.

(Sean): Okinawa… it has its own beauty, its own kind of peace. And you…

Sean smiled warmly.

(Azami): Me?

Sean nodded.

(Sean): … You’ve been just as generous and kind as I remember when we were kids.

Azami’s cheeks flush slightly at his words, as she tried desperately to maintain her composure.

(Azami): You remember that?

(Sean): Of course I do! Azami-chan, you were my first proper friend! Do you remember us making origami cranes the day I met you and your father?

(Azami): You helped me so much, Sean-kun. I didn’t have many friends either. It was always just me and Chichi since okasaan died… but you? You’ve shown courage and resilience. I’m glad you’ve found some solace here, even though you’re so far from home, like you gave me all those years ago.

They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves the only sound that could be heard before Sean eventually broke it.

(Sean): If you ever came to LA, I think you’d find it fascinating, maybe too much for you in some aspects though.

Azami smiled softly.

(Azami): Perhaps one day, when the world’s smaller, I’ll see it. But for now, I’m happy to hear about it from you….

(Sean): I think I’ve talked enough…

Sean turned to Azami and their eyes met, their faces involuntary drifting towards each other, their lips colliding with the gentlest of kisses as the scene fades to black.