Fumi whispered in Hisako’s ear from behind:
—That’s Seiji. He comes here when the weather’s fine. Even though the beach is gone, he sits and stares at the ocean. He’s been doing this for decades. Of course, he can’t actually see anything. I guess he just listens to the waves and imagines the ocean he knew so long ago. Back then, those who knew how Seiji had stood up to the Americans treated him with great respect, even though they must’ve had guilty feelings, too. But after twenty, and then thirty years, there’ve been more and more teenagers and children ignorant of the past. Some of them have made fun of him. But Seiji has never gotten angry or said anything in return. He just sits beneath the banyan tree at the community center and plays his sanshin banjo or listens to his radio. Then he comes here and sits facing the ocean. He’s been doing this for years. The sandy beach is gone, and has been replaced by these concrete steps, but he comes every day. Unless there’s a typhoon or heavy rain....
Fumi’s voice faded away into the sound of the wind and the waves. Hisako walked across the steps toward Seiji. When he sensed someone approaching, his face lit up. Startled at his reaction, Hisako stopped in her tracks. She noticed him furrowing his bushy eyebrows and twitching his nostrils. He must’ve been trying to determine her identity through his senses of smell and hearing. His swollen face revealed that he was in poor health. Then his chapped lips moved, revealing several brown teeth.
—Sayoko, is that you?
Hisako shuddered at the passion in his hoarse voice, but she couldn’t move any closer.
SEIJI [2005]
Can you hear my voice, Sayoko?... Can you hear it riding on the wind and on the waves in search of you? The sun sinks in the west, the wind blows gently, and the air grows cool. How is it where you are? Are you facing the ocean? Do you feel the wind in your hair? Do you hear the sound of the waves?... I hear the wind rustling through the screwpine leaves, crabs scurrying across the sand, and small fish splashing out of the water as they flee a mackerel. But what I most wish to hear, Sayoko, is your voice.... I can’t see the physical world, but I see you clearly.... You’re walking on the white sand of the village road, a basket on your head, as you come toward me.... When you leave the shade of the Garcinia trees to cross the road, you squint your eyes. It’s so sunny today, you say with a smile.... I can’t say anything and drop my head.... Did you catch any fish today, Seiji? you ask. But I can only nod.... Even I know I’m pathetic. In front of you, I get so embarrassed.... I’m awkward with everyone, but with you it’s so much worse.... But you never get mad and you’re always so nice.... That’s why I ... That’s why what? ... What do you mean? ... I asked, Why what? ... Who the hell are you? ... Sayoko’s not here. She left the island long ago.... Who the hell are you?... She doesn’t remember you, and she’s forgotten the island.... What’re you talking about? Sayoko wouldn’t forget me. You’re trying to trick me. Who the hell are you?... Sayoko left the island decades ago. There’s no way she remembers you.... What the hell do you know? Do you know what happened here? Or how much I’ve done for her? You don’t know anything.... Forget about what you’ve done. Sayoko’s living happily. You gonna complain about that?... No, I’m not gonna complain, but... Well, then be happy for her! Sayoko’s better off forgetting what happened, and forgetting you.... Who the hell are you?... What do you mean, Who am I? I’m your friend.... My friend? ... Your best friend ... Hey, Seiji, look out! That American’s right beside you.... Where?!... Be careful not to get shot!... Ah, ha! You’re that Japanese-looking guy. You can’t trick me.... Why would I wanna trick you? You’ll hurt me if I don’t watch my step.... I know your ways.... I can’t understand this lunatic. . . . Your father was Okinawan, wasn’t he? Aren’t you ashamed to be fighting with the Americans? . . . Answer the question!... You don’t need to answer, Seiji. Don’t let them trick you.... Shut up, you! And you, too! Shut up!... You attacked four American soldiers in the ocean and stabbed one of them with your harpoon. Isn’t that correct?... Seiji, you should tell them the truth. Not all Americans are bad. If you tell the truth, they’ll forgive you.... Who the hell are you? How do you know my name? ... Don’t, Seiji, don’t let them trick you.... That’s right! Just be quiet! If you let these fast-talking Americans trick you, you’ll be executed!... And who the hell are you? Be quiet! Be quiet! You people don’t know anything about me.... Tell the truth! The soldier you stabbed was seriously wounded, but he didn’t die.... He didn’t die! Oh, Sayoko! When I heard that, I felt so frustrated!... If you tell the truth and apologize, we’ll reduce your sentence.... What do you mean apologize?! You apologize to Sayoko! ... Answer the question honestly.... I knew as soon as the harpoon went in that I didn’t get him in the vitals.... You stabbed him with a harpoon, right?... It’s tough to get the heart, so I aimed for the liver. If only I’d swum further and gotten closer.... How did you stab him?... Things didn’t go as planned. I couldn’t destroy the enemy. ... What’re you waiting for? Don’t you understand the situation? ... If I get another chance, I definitely won’t miss. . . . We’re at war. We could shoot you and say you
