“Dear Ash,
 I am very worried because I haven’t seen you and I don’t know if you are okay. You said to me before, "We live in different worlds.” But I am not sure if that is true. We are from different countries, and our skin and eyes are different color. But so what? We are friends. Isn’t that enough? What else do we need? I am very happy I came to America. I made many friends here. Above all…I met you, Ash.

You asked me many times if you scare me. But I never felt scared of you, not even once. From the first time I met you. Actually, I always felt that you are hurt, much more than me - that your spirit is wounded.  I know you are much smarter than me, and bigger, and stronger - but even so.. I always wanted to protect you. Funny, isn’t it? But what did I want to protect you from? I think I wanted to protect you from your future. Because your fate was sweeping you away, like a flood.

Do you remember telling me about the leopard in the Hemingway book? He died at the top of the mountain, and you said he knew he will never go back down. But I said you are not a leopard, and that you can change your future. It’s true, Ash. You can change your fate.

You are not alone, Ash. I am with you. My soul is always with you. Sayonara, America…Sayonara, New York. But I’m not saying “sayonara” to you.. Ash. Because this isn’t goodbye. I know we’ll see each other again someday.. You are my best friend, Ash.“

-Eiji Okumura

sa-yo-na-ra