~With Anthony; May 16th, 2024~

I was wrestling some matches to kill some time before I had to leave for Japan, but now that I've arrived in the country for the first time since 2023, I saw that the very first Marigold event was taking place in a few days, so, I decided to look around and visit some shops and just try to kill some more time.

I then saw a florist, who had these beautiful flowers, and I knew what I was going to give Eimi when I finally arrive there, but it's not the only thing I'm gonna be arriving in.

I plan on wearing my uniform when I was in the army.

I have it with me and I haven't wore it since forever, but because of this event, I have to wear it and surprise everyone, including Eimi who just means so much to me.

So, I went to the florist and looked around, trying to figure out what kind of flowers to give Eimi.

There are many different types with different meanings, as I learned that the roses have the meaning of congratulations, love, happiness, and things, just like the US, but in this case, roses might have to be the way to go.

I don't plan on buying them yet. I'm gonna buy them at the very last minute, because that way they'll be ready for the event.

Other than the florist, I decided to take a walk in the park and just mind my own business, but I'm serious, I wanted to pay respect to the culture and wear jeans all the time while I'm there.

From what I know, the Japanese rarely wear shorts and showing skin is something that isn't very popular, so long pants like jeans are the way to go.

As I walked around, the pond was looking beautiful and I decided to take a picture of it, but since there are people around, I decided to blur their faces since photos are okay as long as other people ask for permission, but if they don't want their faces shown, they'll be vocal about it.

So I blurred them out of respect for their privacy and not push it as far as it can be.

~May 18, 2024~

The show was in a couple days, but there was something that I gotta do here before anything else: visit Hana Kimura's shrine.

Hana and I were very close friends and she never saw me any differently, as her motto in Tokyo Cyber Squad was "Everyebody's different! Everybody's special!"

When I heard the news that she passed away, I was personally devastated until I learned that she committed suicide due to cyberbullying. I always showed my support to Kyoko however I could and I would occasionally donate 3/4 of my earnings in wrestling to Remember Hana, the foundation Kyoko had founded in memory of her daughter.

I would also buy a couple of stickers she had for sale and put them on my bags.

Since I learned to drive in Japan and learn the differences in the rules of the road comparing to America and Japan, I managed to get a rental car to find where Hana was buried.

When I finally got to the cemetary, I didn't bother to take out my phone because it's a sign of disrespect to the dead, so I turned off my phone and put it in my pocket while looking for the shrine.

Being in this cemetery really makes me feel uneasy, knowing that so much death is residing.

However, it's a natural thing to experience, so I didn't let it get to me, but what I did let get to me was a familiar face and I just talked about her.

Kyoko was in the cemetery, as she saw me.

Kyoko: Anthony?

I smiled and said back,

Me: How you doin', Kyoko?

We both hugged as she still had the afro from her days in wrestling, which really surprised me because she did have regular hair for a while but when I heard that after Hana died, she reverted it back to the afro in memory of her, and I'm all for that.

Also, after teaching her some English during my time, she became almost fluent. I tried teaching Eimi at one point, but she just couldn't do it, so we spoke Italian most of the time since we knew each other, along with some Japanese, which I learned from watching anime and conversing with the fans, and it worked out well.

Kyoko: I did not know you would be here.

Me: Marigold is in a few days, but I thought I might stop by and pay my respects.

Kyoko: I appreciate it so much.

Me: Let's visit the shrine together, shall we?

Kyoko: Please.

We both walked together as it was great talking to Kyoko, but I can tell in her voice that she's more passionate about keeping her daughter's memory alive, especially when the four year anniversary is coming up and she's dedicated to end cyberbullying, not just in Japan but around the world.

Me: How have you been holding up, despite it being four years now?

Kyoko: I've been working hard, just trying to see the foundation through.

Me: Oh wow.

Kyoko: It has been hard not being around Hana anymore. She was beautiful soul.

Me: Yeah, especially when I saw Aleki dating her. Did you mind that at all?

Kyoko: No. I was against it at first because of tattoos, but when I met him, he was so kind, and so humble. So husband, Arata, and I approved.

Me: How is Arata? Is he doing alright?

Kyoko: He doing great! He is working with charities on suicide victims and other things related to that. I so proud of him. He really deserves flowers.

Me: I agree. Hey, I heard he got into a lawsuit with the Terrace House cast, what happened?

Kyoko: When he learned Hana died, he drove up right to their set and started assaulting them to where he wanted to make sure they got the message, after they posted a picture of them partying during that period.

I know exactly what picture Kyoko was talking about and it's better if I showed it before I lost my mind...

Yeah, no wonder why Arata hates all of you with a fucking burning passion.

I mean, what a time to celebrate something like that. You know, that's like your grandfather waking up from a coma from lung cancer and the family starts handing him cigarettes to celebrate.

What an absolute joke of a group of people. If I had a sister and a group of people were mocking her death, I would've done the same exact thing that Arata has done, except they wouldn't live to see another day. I would kill them with a goddamn baseball bat and send my regards to their families and friends who failed to apologize on their behalf.

However, if I was going through that time, I would save the celebration until after that 49 day period, just to keep it respectful because I heard that it takes that long of a time for the soul to reach paradise and into the afterlife.

Me: So, how did he respond?

Kyoko: He made copies of the papers he was served, signed them, sold them on his former baseball team's website, and *chuckling* raised money for suicide awareness charity!

Me: That's brilliant!

We both laughed as it was great to hear that story. I mean, I do hope that he's got a copy of the papers 'cause I'd buy one, just to help out a bit with the awareness.

Me: Is he still selling them?

Kyoko: He still is, but on behalf of Remember Hana.

Me: Any way I can get a copy? I'd like to help out.

Kyoko: Really?

Me: Hana was one of my best friends, and I'd like to spread awareness, my way.

Kyoko: I will let him know.

Me: Appreciate it. Arigatomasu.

Kyoko: No. Thank you, Tony.

I gave her a bit of a side hug as we kept walking up to the shrine, but we stopped walking to take it all in.

Me: Well, we're here.

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

I saw that Kyoko was starting to tear up, seeing the sight of her daughter's picture, so I put my hand on her shoulder, letting her know that she'll be fine.

After we walked up, we had to do the purification ritual, which is basically us bowing, Kyoko took the ladle, as she poured water into her left hand, and then her right, and then her left hand again, this time rinsing her mouth and then spitting into the basin, the trench down below.

She then poured the water into her left hand again to clean, laid the ladle upright, bowed again, and entered as I did the same thing and then I was allowed to enter.

As I was about to enter, I walked to the side, as I heard it's for the Gods to pass through the center. I heard there's no need to do that, but to me, it's better to respect the culture and traditions than be an asshole for clout.

When we entered together and when we finally made it to Hana's shrine, I felt a lump in my throat.

Seeing the sight of her picture, along with the stone, saying her name and whatnot, it reminded me of the funeral. I remember it so well that I wanted to give Kyoko a hug and give her a shoulder to cry on, knowing how much she misses her own daughter, the one she brought into the world.

I then said to her, as quiet as I could be,

Me: Let me know if it's too much, okay?

Kyoko: Thank you, Tony.

I patted her shoulder and we walked up to the shrine.

As we arrived, we bowed in a forty five degree angle and we both put in some yen to pay respects.

From what I saw, Kyoko put in 5¥ as I did the same, just to keep it simple.

After that, we bowed again, but two times and very slowly at a 90 degree angle because we didn't want to make this look like we're bowing relentlessly and saying "We're not worthy" from fucking Wayne's World or some shit.

After the bows, we put our hands together, but our right hands were a tad bit lower than our left, which I'll show as an example:

Once that was done, Kyoko and I clapped twice and said a prayer, silently, before bowing again at a 90 degree angle.

What we did is called a "Bow Twice, Clap Twice, Bow Once" ritual and although there are many different ways to pay respects at a shrine, I heard that this is the most common. So I wanted to respect that tradition and do my best to keep it that way whenever I'm visiting the country because I know that a lot of people won't bother to respect the culture and think that they can do whatever the fuck they want.

Yes, looking at you, Logan Paul. From what I know, your dad's only regret was releasing you from his nut sack.

Anyway, when we were done paying our respects to Hana we left, but before we could go our separate ways, Kyoko had to ask...

Kyoko: Anthony.

Me: Yeah?

Kyoko: This is last minute, but would you like to take part in memorial show? May 23rd.

I then had to tell her this, regarding the show as I would love to be a part of it, but...

Me: Let me talk to the WWE about it first, okay? I just wanna make sure I get the "okay" first.

Kyoko: You have my number, yes?

Me: Sure do, Kyoko. I'll see you later, alright?

Kyoko: Call me when you get approval. See you later.

We hugged again as I went my way back to my car, looking forward to Marigold, but I gotta get a text out to Hunter and ask him if I could be at the third annual Hana Kimura memorial show.

Once I got back to my hotel room, I texted Hunter.

Me: Hey Hunter.

Hunter: Tony! Just catching up on a couple of Netflix movies. What is it?

Me: I want to know if there's a possibility of my taking part in a show in Japan. Can k give you some context?

Hunter: I'm all ears.

Me: There's a memorial show called the Hana Kimura Memorial, paying tribute to one of my best friends who died of suicide. I wanna know if I can make an appearance.

Hunter: What does she look like?

I sent him a picture of her, that I think perfectly describes her very well...

Hunter: If it means that much to you, I'll allow it. You can take part in some of the action, but you can't compete. Is that fair?

Me: I can work with that. Thank you for letting me do this, Hunter. I really do appreciate it.

Hunter: You're very welcome, son.

Me: I'll talk with you when I get back, alright?

Hunter: Sounds good.

We stopped texting and I looked to get ready for Marigold in a few days, but I texted Kyoko to let her know that I was given the "okay" from Hunter to take part in the show.

And just like that I'm on the card, but we'll have to see what we can come up with for me.