Tide Between Two Worlds

Birth of a Land-Loving Siren

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One week later...

       "I'm surprised you wanted to come here, Miss Ikeda," Hideko acknowledged as she accompanied her patient out to the beach via a handicap bus.

It was late in the day by the time the two women arrived at shore and given the time of year, it was fairly empty. The space was the same as before. A mix of sand and gravel that gave the shore a brownish color and noticeable waves due to winds coming from the ocean with seagulls out on the hunt for food.

       "I needed some air, a change of scenery," Kiyoni stated as she departed from the bus on a wheelchair wearing all of the jewelry containing her family's remains.

       "That's good. You also could use a break. You've been in business mode for the last few days."

       "Ay. So you've noticed. I could never get anything past you."

       "So why here? Does this place bring back memories? Also, are those the same earrings from your family shrine?"

       "Listen, Hideko...I want to thank you."

       "For what?"

       "I've heard some of the things you and the rest of the staff try to do for people like me. You know, Alzheimer's and dementia... So you make it a mission for us old folks to remember as much as possible and I thank you for that. After everything that's happened last week, I've done nothing but reminisce. I've forgotten how ambitious I was, how...determined I was to make room for people like me."

       "You've done that. You were Japan's first biracial mayor. You became part of a generation that changed the way the world looks at Japan. That's huge. And now with your interview premiering tonight, everyone will get a glimpse of that ambition."

       "What if I said I wasn't finished?"

       "What do you mean?"

       "Remember that young man who came to see me last week?"

       "I do. He's quite handsome."

       "He's also from my past. The days when my ambition began to take root."

       "Began? That can't be right. If I remember correctly, you said you started your path around high school or college. If you knew him then, he would have to be–"

       "He is but he doesn't look like it. Believe me, Hideko. He and I are about the same age."

       "Miss Ikeda, with all due respect, as much as I enjoy your stories, I will admit you have been a little cynical about them."

       Kiyoni got a little chuckle from that, "I guess to any normal person I would be a little crazy but it's true. That young man and I are the same age. Father time has been cruel to me while favorable to him. Today, I will no longer endure that cruelty."

       "Eh? What do you mean?"

       "Exactly what I mean. Hideko, I've lived a wonderful, lesson-filled life in this world and have no regrets. I've taken every opportunity given to me with gratitude and humility. I've had my share of successes and failures just like anyone else. However, there's one more opportunity that I'd like to take, one that was given to me one week ago."

       "Miss Ikeda, you're kinda scaring me. What are you saying?"

In the distance, Kiyoni could see her opportunity waiting for her in the water. Standing waist deep in the active ocean was Shuichi who was making good on his word. He advanced in age as well but a normal person wouldn't be able to tell. It seems all the time underwater favored him. He was a bit more muscular than he was during his junior high days with sleeves of greenish scales going down his arms, rocking that same trident necklace given to him from his father.