Chapter Six: Michael Richards:

Sappoto-san, the marine, and I walked through the busy streets of Okinawa. He just talked and showed us around. Sappoto-san trembled as she held my name. I looked out of the corner of my eye at her as she did so.

“It’s okay,” I whispered under my breath in Japanese. “Nothing going to happen to us.” She didn’t seem to believe me at all. I smiled at her softly.

“He’s a nice man,” I whispered. “Look, I’ll show you.” I turned to our marine friend.

“Hey sir,” I said in English. He didn’t look up.

“Hm?” he asked.

“What is your name?”

“Captain Michael Richards. What’s yours?”

“I’m Miho Shigi and this is Sappoto Uoya.” Naturally, Sappoto said nothing. She stared at her tiny feet. Michael looked over at her.

“Your friend doesn’t talk much, does she?” I shook my head.

“No, she doesn’t understand English and has never been out of the mainland before in her life.”

“Ah,” I nodded a little bit. Sappoto-san’s face became bright red. I smiled at her a little bit. (Sorry, but the truth had to be told.)

“Say,” Michael spoke up. “Where are you lovely ladies from?” I smiled at him with grace.

“Tokyo, Japan,”

“Wow! That’s far! Any reasons why you are in Okinawa?”

“No reason; just needed to get away from the city.”

“Ah, I see.” We walked deeper into the city. We got to know Michael a little bit better along the way. He joined the marines ten years ago. His parents died in his junior year of high school. Because of that, Michael lived with his grandparents until he graduated. Instead of going to college like they had hoped, he joined the Marines. Even though they disapproved of it, his grandparents supported his decision. He has been stationed in Okinawa since 2050. Michael now lives with his fiancée, Michelle, and their two daughters. Michael turned around to us.

“So, how long are you planning to stay in Okinawa?” he asked. I shrugged at him.

“I don’t know, not long, I guess.”

“Do you ladies have anywhere to stay for the night?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“No, why?” Michael clapped his hands together, excited.

“Great! Come by my house tonight! Michelle is a great cook!” I looked at him oddly on the invitation. We just met and he’s inviting us over? That fast? Sappoto-san automatically didn’t trust him one bit. I could easily see why.

“Right now?” I asked. “But we just met!”

“Well not now,” Michael told us. “Later on in the night. By then, we will all know each other soon.” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“That all?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Michael said, nodding. I thought about that for a second. I looked over at Sappoto-san. Her face looked really sick and pale. She seemed to be screaming no at me in her head. I turned back to Michael. His eyes looked so inviting. Hm, I seemed to find myself in a slight tug-of-war at the moment.

“We need a moment,” I answered. Michael nodded causally.

“Take as long as you want,” he said. “I have to get back to work at the moment. If you do change your minds, I will be at Anna Miller’s next to Kiko’s Bar and Grill.”

“Okay,” I said nodding.

“I take leave now, ladies,” our marine replied. “Enjoy your stay here.”

“Sure will,” I replied. We all bowed before Michael left us. Sappoto-san and I watched him leave. I looked over at Sappoto-san.

“Well,” I said in Japanese. “What do you think?” She didn’t speak at first. My friend shook her head.

“I still don’t trust him!” she said at last.

“Why is that?” I asked. “He looks kind of cute for an old guy. If he and I were single, oh! It would be on!”

“He’s a marine!” she cried. “An American marine!” I shrugged at her.

“And?” I questioned. Sappoto-san looked at me in desperation. She grabbed onto my arm in the same manner.

“Please don’t take his offer!” she begged. “Let’s stay somewhere else tonight, please!” I smiled as I kindly shook my head at her. I lightly patted her on the head.

“Aw, Sappoto-san,” I cooed. “But he’s such a nice man! And besides he had plenty of opportunities to take advantage and attack us. But he didn’t, did he?” Sappoto-san still didn’t believe me.

“But poppa said that American military men are always raping and killing innocent Japanese woman!” she yelped.

“Not so loud!” I whispered to her. “You forget that we’re still on base here!” Sappoto-san nodded at me quickly. I calmed down after a few more seconds.

“Your dad was also a close-minded, homophobic, bigoted idiot!” I pointed out. “Come on! It’s only going to be for a short time until I figure out what to do next from there, okay?” My friend still didn’t seem to keen on the idea. I lightly squeezed her hands.

“Come on!” I said again. “Live a little! You’re a grown woman now! You’re even free!” Sappoto-san looked at me in surprise.

“I’m free?” she asked. I nodded at her as if I was playing a practical joke on her.

“Yes,” I said. “You ran away from your masters, did you not?” Sappoto-san thought about that for a moment.

“Well, yes…” she mumbled.

“Then, you are a free woman,” I summed up. “You are a grown-up. Free to make your own decisions about people without your father’s stupidity to be taken into account!” My friend didn’t look convinced. I didn’t push her this time. Come on, just let it sink into her spacey little head of hers. It can do it. I know it can. Just give it some time now. Come on! It will sink in at any moment. Sappoto-san looked at me with big eyes at last.

“I am free to believe whatever I want?” she asked. I nodded at her innocently.

“Yes,” I said slowly. “So can we go stay with the nice marine for the night?” Sappoto-san thought about that for moment. I waited as she did so. “Come on!” I thought. “Make the right decision here! Be yourself own woman today! Come on! I know you can do it!” Sappoto-san finally looked at me seriously. I stared at her as she gave me her verdict.

“I am an adult,” she said as if trying to figure it all out.

“Right,” I said, nodding.

“And I am free to make up my own opinions about people.”

“Yes.”

“And I can make up my own decisions if I wanted to.”

“Yes. So what do you say? Are we staying with Michael and his family tonight or not?” Sappoto-san finally sighed at me.

“Alright,” she said, giving up easily. “But only for the night.” I clapped my hands together excited, but kept myself under control the whole time.

“Okay!” I chirped. “We know where to find him!” Sappoto-san didn’t say anymore after my statement. I started to walk away when I paused and noticed that my friend was still standing there, looking at me. My facial expression went neutral. “Hm, she might need some help with this process,” I thought. I was just the one to do it. I turned back around and walked over to my friend.

“Well come on!” I said aloud. “Michael’s waiting for us!”

“Right…” Sappoto-san mumbled under her breath. I didn’t listen; I just grabbed her by the arm and raced with her further into the city.

“Whoa! Slow down!” my friend cried. “You’re hurting my arm!” I didn’t listen as I kept on running to find the Anna Miller restaurant.

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