~With Aleki~

It was Raw, and it was the day for me to announce my retirement from wrestling forever.

I dread going into that ring and tell everyone that I'm not wrestling anymore thanks to the heart attack from months ago. The upsides about it is that I get to wrestle one more time, win that match, and help Cody win the title his father never won, and a title I'm probably never gonna hold, but it doesn't matter, Cody deserves it more than I do.

After that, Yuria and I arrived at the arena and Kyoko and the others were here, as I learned that they were going to be at ringside to hear me announce my retirement and address everything.

I hugged Kyoko, who was in tears, just not ready for me to step away for good, and the same can go for Arata, because he looks up to me, almost seeing me a role model.

Here's the thing, I can't consider myself a role model because I'm just a normal human being like everyone else and I'm trying to do whatever I can to prove that I can be a good person when I need to be.

Also, I'm living on the catchphrase of "Everybody's different and everybody's special", Hana's motto, and I'm doing whatever I can to keep it alive, as giving Samantha Irvin, the ring announcer, my handkerchief, the same one I used when I made my debut in New Japan as the newest member of the Bullet Club is a perfect example.

She came up to me, wanting to give me back my handkerchief, but I refused.

Samantha: Aleki, please, you need it back.

Me: No, Sam, you keep it.

Samantha: Aleki, I don't want to have it.

Me: Hey, I'm the one who's retiring tonight. You need it more than I do since I got a speech being worked on. You practice your announcing, okay?

Samantha: Okay. Thank you.

I shook her hand as I looked to mentally prepare myself for the main event, as I was gonna say goodbye to professional wrestling.

~Main Event~

As soon as it was main event time, Yuria and I got to gorilla as I'm actually feeling great. There is still some pain, but it's not as much as it was yesterday.

I mean, those ice baths really helped and so far, we got a long way to go.

Also, I did say that I had a speech being written, but I did not want to write one, knowing how hard it would've been for me to write one, so I'm doing it by heart, like I've done for my promos on Rock, who I hope doesn't interrupt me for the gazillionth time.

However, I wanted to be alone as I made the speech, and as my normal music played, Yuria and I just hugged and before I went out, we kissed for a few seconds, before she said to me...

Yuria: I love you.

Me: And I love you too, sweetheart.

I kissed her cheek with a tear down mine, as I walked out of gorilla to hear the roar of the crowd, as there were signs paying tribute to me, saying "thank you Alek" and all this other stuff.

I cannot express how it feels to be that beloved by everyone. It really meant so much to where I saw my friends at ringside, Yū, Kris, the former Oedo Tai and Tokyo Cyber Squad, everyone had shown up.

I didn't bother with the "let's go, you assholes" bit because I'm a bit emotional about announcing my retirement tonight and I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it.

Sam: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, "The Ultimate Assassin", ALEK HUNT!!!

Instead, I slapped some hands and when I got to a sign that said "RIP Hana Kimura", I smiled. I gestured for that sign and I was given it as I held it up for everyone to see.

When I was done with the sign, I gave it back to the fan and gave that fan a fist bump, letting him know I appreciated that, and I'm sure Kyoko would too.

I went around ringside, acknowledging my best friends as I hugged Kris and Yū, who were emotional, but Yū had to pull this...

Yū: Welcome to club, right?

I laughed a bit before I hugged him, and I needed a laugh before I cried tonight.

Me: I appreciate that, Yū. I really needed that.

I patted his shoulder and went in the ring to look out into the crowd as they cheered for me.

Once I swept my feet, I entered the ring and gestured for a mic.

Samantha, being a sweetheart, gave me hers as I shook her hand, appreciating her doing that as I looked to announce my retirement.

Before I could get started, my music died down and the fans had to chant,

Crowd (chanting): THANK YOU ALEK! *CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP* THANK YOU ALEK! *CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP* THANK YOU ALEK! *CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP*

Me: No, guys, thank you!

They all cheered as I kept it up, as I know I'm gonna be emotional tonight.

Me: Well, as you all already know, my match with Rock this past weekend was my last in my entire career, and it really sucks to know that I won't be wrestling again thanks to my health, but the upside of it all is that I won that match, it's all that matters.

The fans continues to cheer and surprisingly, they were being quiet as I spoke, which I can appreciate.

Me: As you all know, seven weeks ago, off air on Raw, I suffered a heart attack thanks to Rock pushing me against the wall, causing a partial blockage in one of my arteries, in my neck.

I took a deep breath and kept going as looked at Yū, who was smiling, but also shocked by what I was saying.

Me: During my time out, I started to have some tests on my heart. And it turns that the damage was more severe than we originally thought. I don't want any of you blaming Rock, the doctors, my friends,, my mother-in-law, my brother-in-law, not even me. Life happens in ways we don't want it to and that's something we should remember because we never know where it's gonna take us.

The crowd applauded as I had to keep the promo going or I'm gonna go insane.

Me: Now, I would be lying if I said I was scared that I could have another heart attack at any moment, because I really was, but I wasn't gonna let that stop me from performing for every one of you because you fans, and you fans watching at home around the world mean a lot to me.

I was about to get to the nitty gritty part of this retirement and it still hurts for me to say it.

Me: So, I'm really sad to say that this past weekend is my final match in professional wrestling, I'm gonna be stepping away from the ring indefinitely, and that's for my own physical and mental health.

They all applauded as they stayed quiet, same with my friends.

Me: I really hate announcing this because my entire family was in this sport. It's in my blood! And, believe it or not, this is something that I stayed up all night crying about because I'm very passionate about wrestling and it means a lot to me.

I then had to bring this up because I started to choke...

Me: I did say that I don't have much time left in in this sport and I was gonna retire at 35, but now that this heart attack happened two months ago, I'm sorry to say that this is my last match.

The crowd went "no" as everyone from the former TCS and the OG Oedo Tai weren't shocked by my proclamation. I'm really ending my career here tonight, and Yū was a mess, but he knew it was the right call, knowing the same situation I'm in when he was back in 2020.

Me: With that said, I'm gonna finish my career in this company, as it mainly has to do with my health, but that's doesn't mean I can't be happy for how long I've lasted! 9 years in this industry, 9 years, almost a decade, and I'm super proud of how far I've made it!

Everyone cheered as I smiled, reflecting on the memories I've had in this sport. I never took anything for granted.

Me: I gotta move on to the people I consider my friends. Actually, no, I can't call them my friends, I consider them my family. Those girls you see at ringside, they are the OG members of Tokyo Cyber Squad and I had the privilege of meeting them all, one by one. The others I had the honor of meeting the most, Konami, Jungle Kyona, Kris Wolf, and Kagetsu. You don't mind if I call you that, right?

Yū: You get special pass. You deserve it!

They all stood up, but Kyona stood up the best she could because of her knee injury. She still continued to stand up as she held onto the barricade, still standing up, and I can appreciate that.

Me: I want to thank all of you for being my friends, and being here this weekend to watch me kill Rock and make him my bitch. Sorry, I didn't mean to curse, as you know my morals.

They all laughed and said that I got a pass for doing so, which I can be thankful for, but there are a few other people I want to thank before I bore everyone.

Me: Tauchi-chan, Tam Nakano. You saved me from death so many times that if it weren't for you, I'd be dead. If you guys haven't known, I tried to die on September 3rd, 2020, my late fiancée's would be 23rd birthday, and I'll spare you all the details about what happened, but all I'll say is that Tam found me on my bedroom floor, dying, she took a few washcloths, and held onto me while she called for EMTs.

The crowd cheered as my friends were crying and smiling at the same time.

As my voice began to crack from emotion...

Me: You have no idea how grateful I am to you for staying by me, no matter how many times I went berserk as how many times I get emotional, you tend to me like nobody else, and I thank you so much.

I was moving onto the people I have to call family as I have to before she actually killed me.

Me: My mother-in-law, Kyoko Kimura. You're the mother I never had, and when I first met you, you were very protective of your daughter and threatening to kill me if I did something to her, but over time, we had that mother and son relationship like no other. I considered you my mom then and I consider you my mom now, and I love you so much.

I was near the one person I have to thank and everyone knows who it is, as I've been talking about her so much.

Me: And last but not least, Hana.

I started to feel like crying because now I'm about to thank her forever, even if she's gone.

Me: Back in September 3rd of 2023, to celebrate her life, I went to her grave and paid my respects with everyone you saw here, but while everyone was a way's away, I found this letter, that was at my feet, and I have it with me right now, and I'm gonna try my best to not cry because it's very hard for me to talk about this.

I took it out of my pocket and opened it,

Me: It says,

"Aleki,

I want you to know that I love you more than life itself. I love you more than you ever know. I love you so deeply I cannot fathom how lucky I was to meet a wonderful man like you.

You make me feel so special, so loved, and so grateful to have you in my life. I want you to know that you're the one who I will ever call you as my best friend, but because of how everyone has been treating me, I cannot let them get to me anymore.

I am about to leave this place, but through all of it, I want you to be happy. If you find someone else to fall in love with, just know that I support you in the afterlife.

Happiness matters to the person, as this is the final thing I want you to do for me. It is not to be sad that I am not here anymore, but be happy of the memories we shared.

Goodbye, my love.

Hana"

Everyone at ringside started to cry, as Konami, Kyona, TCS and the OG Oedo Tai teared up, as much as I was.

Me: And that was when I knew she was still here because I may not be a believer in ghosts or anything, but after I read that, I felt something watching me, and I looked into the distance to see who it was, but no one was there. I looked behind me, and nobody was there, but when I turned back around...

I covered my mouth and tears started to coming down my face as I told the story.

Me (voice cracking): She was standing right in front of me, smiling, having a tear down her face, with the same outfit she died in. Hana came up to me, put her hand on my cheek, and said, "Don't forget, Aleki, I will always be with you." Then she faded away after giving me a kiss on my cheek.

That was when I leaned down and covered my face for a bit, but I didn't cry. I did manage to keep going regardless.

Me (voice cracking): To this day, I can't explain how I experienced that, but I still feel the love and support that she's given me for the past three years. I still love her, but I'm happy to say that I found love again, and you all know who it is by now, since we kissed in front of you guys, and that is Tam Nakano.

And before I pissed the Japanese off, I had to say this...

Me (voice cracking): Don't worry, she's given me permission to talk about her, knowing how emotional tonight was gonna be.

I kept it up...

Me: Anyway, you were there for me when Hana died, and you stuck by me ever since, and after that, that was when we would eventually be together, and you have no idea how happy I am to be with you. You fixed me up, and I'll always be grateful to you as I am willing to do the same.

The fans cheered as I now announce this for the final time.

Me: I can't forget about crazy bastards, you fans. You stuck by me since 2015, growing up in front of you and now that I'm turning 32 in a few weeks, I have to thank you after all the years I wrestled in front of your screen or in person. You mean so much to me, and I thank you for all the love and support you guys have shown.

The fans cheered and applauded as I was gonna finish this, but first...

Me: If there are people I didn't mention and I didn't thank yet, please don't take it personally, I'm just on a time crunch with the show ending any minute now, but just now that I am grateful for your support and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I hope that cheered anyone up because I really didn't mean to leave anyone out, but as I was gonna say this, for the last time...

Me: So, yeah, this weekend was my final match in my pro wrestling career, I officially retire from the ring indefinitely, and now, I'm gonna live the rest of my life in Samoa.

Everyone applauded and cheered as my theme played while I looked to slap some hands, take photos, and sign some autographs.

A child that was wanting me to slap his hand, I went up to him, offered a picture with the youngster as his dad agreed.

Once the photo was done, I gave the kid a high five and kept doing the same for the rest of the fans, who were wanting me to sign some autographs.

I didn't mind that, as long as they don't go eBay to sell them, even though they probably and like I give a shit at this point.

I went up to my friends as I hugged them again, but Kyona the most. Her still staying amid the injury is amazing and I couldn't thank her enough to be here.

Then, I didn't know expect this girl to show up, Eimi Matsudo, AKA Giulia, was in the crowd, and she was tearing up.

I didn't stay still as I went up and hugged her as she did the same.

Her and Hana had one of the best rivalries of all time, and it shouldn't be understated that their feud made what Stardom what it was today, at least from what I know.

I got to know her during that time and she was the sweetest girl I've ever met, and we still get along to this day, knowing how Hana was that much of a sweetheart to everyone.

Eimi: ロッシーに、君が引退するのを見届けるためにここにいてもよいかと尋ねたら、許可をもらった。僕は君の味方だよ、アレキちゃん。君には永遠の愛と尊敬の念を抱いている。 (I asked Rossy if I could be here to see you retire, and he gave me permission. I'm with you, Aleki-chan. You have my undying love and respect.)

We hugged again as I went up the ramp, still slapping hands and before I could turn around to face the crowd...

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

When Leati's theme played, I was a bit shocked, same with the fans and when he entered at the 0:37 mark, he started walking up towards me.

I don't know what's going on, but something tells me that Leati is starting to feel emotion from tonight.

It was only a matter of time before I ended up face to face with him, as I was a bit shocked he came out here.

Then, he spread his arms open with a smile.

And in that moment, I knew I got through to him, and I hugged him, causing the fans to pop and I felt Leati shaking, telling me that he was crying.

When I looked at him, he was, and I had to return it, much to the delight of the fans and my friends.

Then, Yuria came out and joined us, as we hugged as well.

Yuria, however, kissed my cheek and my arms were raised, as if I was the winner of a match, even though I can't wrestle anymore.

After the show, I went to the back, and Leati had said this to me...

Leati: The reason I haven't talked to you after your promos on me, it's because I was reflecting on what you said, that I was being delusional and letting it all go to my head, thinking that I deserve everything. I want to make up for my actions against you, and what I said about your family. I don't expect you to forgive me, even though it seemed like it out there, but if you do, I'll be very grateful because...

A tear came down my face, through my blood stained face, as his eyes started to water up.

Leati: Aleki, I'm so sorry.

When I heard those words, I came up to him, came close, and without any hesitation, I hugged him again as I felt him hug me back.

I just cried after that, because I've been wanting him to be there for me. He wasn't helping out there, but after what he's seen out there tonight, I guess he couldn't take it anymore and cried like I'm doing.

Leati (voice cracking): I love you, baby brother, and I'm sorry for treating you like garbage for the last decade. I'm sorry for calling you all those things, and I'm sorry for treating your family like shit. I want to make up for it. Can we spend some time together?

I looked at him as he was smiling, and I knew what I wanted to say.

Me: Please.

We kept hugging as everyone applauded as it was great to see.

And soon enough, what will happen will not only cause our bond to be mended completely, it will also shatter us as a whole.