One Evening, One Destined Moment

[Emiko Okita]

One Evening, One Destined Moment

Our heroine: 'Totally-not-Hiroko-in-disguise', aka Hiroko.

Roseland Theater

Portland, Oregon

Sunday, 18-December-2022

Just a few more minutes until the long expected bell. That's the thought which has played on constant repeat in Hiroko's mind for the past two weeks. Ever since an earth shattering announcement came across her social media feed, it's lived rent free in her brain. Everyone else packing the Roseland Theater are excitedly discussing all manner of matches on the card. All around her the buzz of high anticipation fills the air. Despite the frenetic energy all around her, Hiroko's excitement is centered on one match in particular.

Just a few more minutes. Hiroko desperately wants them to go by faster. Left to her own devices she's begun to wonder if the graphic which inspired her to buy a VIP ticket was in fact false. All kinds of doctored images were floating around online, so she reasoned it was totally possible that what she'd seen was an illusion. After all, she reasons, no one has seen this woman in a ring for nearly three years! Was she truly going to emerge from her exile here in Portland of a places? The spiraling thoughts accelerates until she convinces herself that the woman she's come to see isn't in fact in the building at all. Hiroko is sure she's been deceived! She curses whatever villain crafted that craven image, causing her to shell out $115 for a ringside seat. Should she ever have the misfortune to meet them, Hiroko would certainly give them a piece of her mind.

Her efforts appear to be for nought, though. All of the preparations she's made for this night are probably meaningless. While others are still in the serpentine line for merch, Hiroko flops dejectedly into her assigned folding chair. Something gentle and smooth brushes up against her arm in that moment. It's only as she reaches down to nudge it aside that she remembers the solitary red rose she brought along with her. At first its intended purpose was to be presented to the woman she sought so desperately. Now it's just a reminder of the fact that she's been duped.

With a sigh Hiroko tugs on the brim of her bucket hat, repositioning it so it won't fall off and reveal her. For this show, for the meeting which seems impossible now, she's come in disguise. Her hair in low twin tails, overly casual T-shirt and jeans are not for her privacy though. Overall she doesn't care if people know who she is. It's more that tonight isn't supposed to be about her. She doesn't want the attention directed at herself, she's just another member of the paying audience. If somehow the Heart Pounding Sky Captain is actually in the building, she deserves the full attention of the fans. Not the simple Rose Knight in her clever disguise.

Now the other fans are settling into their seats and Hiroko's anticipation builds again. There are literal signs which indicate her hopes may not be in vain after all. Just in front of her she spots someone bearing a sign which reads ‘FLY HIGH, FLY CUTE’ and has a hand drawn picture of Sena Kanda. Another rests on a seat just around the corner from Hiroko’s section, reading ‘WELCOME BACK CAPTAIN!’. Her momentary despair fades and a smile tugs at the corners of her lips. It’s possible that there’s been no false advertising after all - she may get to see the long lost Sky Captain tonight! If she is here, then it truly is just a few more minutes.

Beginning with the opening contest, the anticipation builds as the moment of truth draws near. Despite the in-ring action before her, Hiroko's mind is only half focused on it. The rest of her thoughts and all of her heart are focused solely on the imminent return of Sena Kanda. She remembers to applaud at a few moments but it’s really just going through the motions for the opening acts. Questions abound in her mind, all about the Sky Captain. Will she still use her old entrance theme? How much ring rust will she have? Most importantly, will she even remember the young woman who she inspired to undertake a new path in life at a show in a basement venue? Time will tell for sure - just a few more minutes. Then the time comes at last; the ring announcer steps into the ring, garbed in a fine suit as she makes a proclamation.

Ring Announcer: “The following contest is scheduled for one fall!”

Knowing this is the moment where her hopes will be proven true or false, Hiroko desperately joins the fans in shouting “ONE FALL!”. Immediately afterward a vintage rock track plays and the fans in attendance stand for the arrival of a brunette wrestler garbed in red, white and black ring gear. This, Hiroko understands, is Jolyn Lapointe - an indie talent with aspirations of wrestling in Japan who’s been brought in for this special night. Lapointe’s is all business as she marches up the short entrance aisle and then up to the ring apron. She looks strong and hungry - is this really someone that Sena Kanda can hold her own with? Concern fills Hiroko’s thoughts and she feels the pounding of her anxious heart as the music fades.

There’s a frenetic buzz humming through the crowd as anticipation mounts for the arrival of Jolyn Lapointe’s opponent. Hiroko’s hands ball into fists as she strains to see the entrance curtain and catch a glimpse of the woman she seeks. Without concern for her own safety she stands on the seat of her chair to get a better look, and it’s at this moment the magic happens. A familiar pop song’s intro hits and Hiroko’s voice unites with those around her in a big pop! ‘Love Riddle’ plays for a few seconds before Sena Kanda at last steps through the curtain.

She’s just as Hiroko remembers her. Dressed in a short sleeved pink leather jacket with navy trim and accessories, Sena takes a deep breath before looking up into the camera streaming her return to the world. That warm winning smile lights up Sena’s face as she pumps her fist to get the crowd clapping in time with her entrance theme. Hiroko whole heartedly joins in from atop her chair as Sena circles the ring, high fiving all of the fans in the first row. When the Sky Captain ascends the ring steps and then the turnbuckle nearest Hiroko, Hiroko just about loses her mind. It’s really her! Sena Kanda in the flesh after two years away from a ring!! This is already one of the most special nights in Hiroko’s life. It’s so exciting that she hesitates before hopping down from her chair to take a seat again.

Ring Announcer: “Introducing first, to my left: from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: the Lady of Lariats, Jolyyyyyyyn Lapointe!”

Jolyn strikes a pose in the center of the ring to some cheers, then glares over at Sena with a chilling intent evident in her eyes. Once again Hiroko feels concerned for Sena, wondering if she should act as an impromptu second for the Sky Captain. She only talks herself out of it with the fact that doing so would get her escorted out of the venue. If that happens she won’t have the chance to chat with Sena again, much less invite her to come to Friday Night Rampage to join Hiroko in the ring. That’s a risk Hiroko can’t afford to take. The ring announcer switches suddenly to somewhat fragmented Japanese, bringing a shocked smile to Sena’s face.

Ring Announcer: <”And to my right, from Hyogo, Japan. The Heart-Poudning Sky Captain! Kandaaaaaa Seeeeeenaaaaaa!”>

Another pop erupts from the crowd as Sena strides to the center of the ring, striking a pose with her hands forming a heart shape. Hiroko cheers at the top of her lungs in the hopes of her unwavering support reaching Sena’s ears. She can’t believe it’s really happening! After everything that’s happened in the past few years, she gets to see a Sena Kanda match in the United States of all places! Her heart pounds more as the bell rings and the match gets underway in earnest.

*************

ROSE CITY WRESTLING: HEART OF WINTER
ROSELAND THEATER, PORTLAND, OREGON
SINGLES MATCH: ‘LADY OF LARIATS’ JOLYN LAPOINTE VS ‘HEART POUNDING SKY CAPTAIN’ SENA KANDA

As the bell rings, the crowd is already pumped up for the match and clapping rhythmically as the two combatants eye each other. Jolyn makes the first moves, beginning to circle the ring with the look of a stone cold killer in her eyes. Sena remains in her corner in a moment of hesitation, as if she’s unsure of herself. As her opponent draws near, she begins to clear the cobwebs and circles around toward the opposite corner. The tension builds as the two reach each other’s corner and seemingly dare each other to make the first move. In a blur Jolyn storms out of her corner with the full intention to steamroll the smaller Sena! Just as quickly Sena rolls forward under an attempted clothesline. Without missing a beat Jolyn swings her left leg in arc to catch Sena with a roundhouse kick! Yet no one’s home as Sena rolls under that too and tags Jolyn’s back with a kick of her own.

Jolyn stumbles forward from the impact and Sena rebounds off the ropes to build momentum for a leaping knee to the face! Jolyn staggers back toward the ropes and Sena lets out a sharp shout as she connects with a super kick. The crowd pops as Jolyn hits the mat and Sena lets out an energetic battle cry of ‘LET’S GO!’. As soon as the Lady of Lariats gets to her knees Sena charges in and slams a knee right into her face! With a smile she hooks the leg!

1.
2..
Jolyn kicks out!

Sena slaps the mat as she gets more pumped up; she rushes to the nearby corner and climbs up to the top rope in search of a big flying move. A moment later she flies gracefully through the air - only to get cut off by a lariat that turns her inside out! The crowd groans in sympathy as Sena flips over and lands face down on the mat. Jolyn wastes no time in covering Sena.

One.
Two..
Th-No! Sena gets her shoulder up off the mat to a cheer from the crowd.

Immediately Jolyn grabs hold of that arm and wrenches it into an armbar, drawing a scream of pain from Sena. As Jolyn works the hold she also puts all of her weight into it to maximize the pain it causes. No matter how much it hurts, though, Sena refuses to tap and instead digs her free hand and feet into the mat to crawl for the ropes. Several agonizing moments later, Sena just barely gets her foot on the bottom rope. Though reluctant to do so, Jolyn releases the hold.

However there’s no respite for Sena as Jolyn drags her up off the mat, leaning her against the ropes and kneeing her in the midsection repeatedly. Jolyn follows this up by running the ropes and dropkicking Sena out of the ring! As she tumbles to the floor, Jolyn follows her out of the ring and peppers her with a series of forearm strikes and punches. Sena staggers backward as the fans in the front row clear out of the way, sensing carnage to come. A beat later Jolyn is right up on Sena with a stiff European uppercut. As Sena falls to one knee, Jolyn scoops the Sky Captain up onto her shoulder, then eyes the nearby vacated seats. With a roar Jolyn hurls Sena forward like a javelin straight into the chairs! Another groan of sympathy comes from the fans in attendance as Sena crashes into a pile of steel.

Jolyn flexes her muscles to a chorus of boos from the crowd, quite satisfied with her work so far. She waits a moment before reaching down to pull the nearly motionless Sena out of the pile of chairs. Once Sena’s up she forcibly rolls the Sky Captain back under the bottom rope, then follows her into the ring. Fully in control of the match, Jolyn takes her time to circle the fallen Sena, stopping only to stomp her a few times. Then she leaps into the air and drops an elbow right on Sena’s chest! Jolyn once more goes for the pin.

One.
Two..
Sena gets her shoulder up to another pop!

Jolyn slaps the mat in frustration and grabs two handfuls of Sena’s hair, using the grip to pull her up off the mat. She slaps Sena across the face, then whips Sena to the ropes - but Sena uses the momentum to jump to the top rope, using it as a springboard to counter the whip into a crossbody! Yet Jolyn catches her out of mid-air and power slams Sena instead! She goes for the cover, hooking a leg.

One.
Two..
Sena kicks out!

Becoming frustrated, Jolyn slams Sena’s head into the mat repeatedly. She once more drags Sena up from the mat and wraps her arms around Sena’s waist. With a growl of exertion, Jolyn slams Sena into the mat with a German Suplex. Not finished there, she rolls through and dead lifts Sena to go for another, this time throwing Sena overhead with a release German suplex. However Sena lands on her feet and returns the favor with a fiery shout of her own. As soon as Jolyn turns around Sena nails her with a flurry of punches and kicks that staggers the Canadian. Sena follows it up with one super kick, then another! Jolyn falls to one knee and Sena runs the ropes to build momentum for a shotgun dropkick that takes Jolyn down. The Lady of Lariats rolls to the nearby corner, only to have Sena rush in to nail her with a basement clothesline!

The momentum carries Sena out of the ring, where she poses for the cheering crowd. Chants of “SE-NA KAN-DA! Clap-clap-clapclapclap” gain steam as Sena climbs to the ring apron and glares at Jolyn. Gripping the top rope tightly, she propels herself to the top rope and then springboards into the ring where she nails Jolyn with a missile dropkick! Sena goes for the cover.

One.
Two..
Jolyn kicks out!

Extra fired up now Sena shouts ‘Let’s go!” and draws a round of cheers. Just as Jolyn gets to her feet, Sena is there to lace her arms behind Jolyn’s head; with a roar Sena hits the larger Jolyn with a full nelson suplex! Jolyn bounces of the mat and rolls to a kneeling position, where Sena hits her with a.. Square Hammer?! Sena doesn’t go for the cover but instead starts to climb the turnbuckle, looking for some big flying move. But Jolyn gets a second wind, kipping up in time to rush the corner and hurl Sena into the center of the ring! Sena fights to her feet, clutching her back while Jolyn is right on her, hammering away at her back with forearms. Once Sena is to her feet she throws a punch but she misses and Jolyn locks in a sleeper hold to the horror of the fans.

The Canadian wrenches it in as Sena desperately tugs and claws at the larger woman’s arms. Jolyn’s grip is too tight and Sena begins to fade, her legs growing wobbly. She falls to one knee and the “SE-NA KAN-DA” chants are back in full force. Jolyn forces the Sky Captain down to both knees and then onto the mat, where she tries to lock her legs around Sena’s body. Just then a voice, slightly British sounding, calls out from the crowd: “Sena, I love you! Wake up!”. As if on cue Sena bridges up, then flips over to force a pinning situation!

One.
Two..
Jolyn kicks out, releasing the hold.

Sena remains on the mat, clearing the mental fog as Jolyn rolls away to the corner. As Sena s-l-o-w-l-y struggles to her feet, Jolyn winds up her arm to signal the end is near. Her Lariat From Hell is so devastating that it’s one of the most effective match enders in indie wrestling! When Sena stumbles to her feet Jolyn bull rushes her, swinging her arm forward - to hit thin air, as Sena escapes with a Matrix evasion into a spinning elbow that staggers Jolyn. Operating almost more on instinct than anything, Sena follows up with a slingblade that takes Jolyn down. The fans’ cheers hit a fever pitch as Sena eyes the top rope with wild eyes. She leaps up to the top turnbuckle in the nearest corner, then raises her arms up to either side. Once they’re above her head she drops the left and salutes with the right before flying through the air towards the downed Canadian, landing a beautiful Tokimeki Elbow drop! She hooks both legs.

One.
Two..
Three!!!

The bell rings and Sena rolls off her felled opponent.

Ring Announcer: “Here is your winner: KANDAAAAA SEEEEENAAAA!!!!”

To the delighted cheering of the crowd, Sena slowly pulls herself up by the ropes and smiles. It’s done. Her first match in over two years and she’s defeated a very game opponent. When the ref raises her hand in victory, Sena lets loose a joyous cry - the emotions of the moment all come out at once. Soon there are some tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. She takes a bow, then climbs out of the ring to head to the back, all with the supportive chants returning. Just before the entry curtain she turns around, bows again, and then blows a kiss to the fans.

****

Just a few minutes later, Hiroko is once again anxious. Sena Kanda’s victory tonight was indeed heart pounding just as her nickname would suggest. Once again Hiroko is in a line, but this time it’s to reach the merchandise table where the woman she’s sought for two years is waiting. A few meters away is the one and only Sena Kanda - her smile is even brighter up close!

Yet there's a good half dozen people between her and the Sky Captain. At the front of the line there's a guy animatedly chatting with Sena. As the time drags on, Hiroko watches Sena's every action like a hawk. Oh look, she's laughing! Wait, what's she laughing about? Is this guy that charming? What if he is and she ends up making plans with him? Over two years of waiting for Sena to reappear and now some rando is going to swoop in and sweep her off her feet before Hiroko can even talk to her! Oh cruel fate - and he's left the line with a signed portrait. Her heart falls back into her chest from her throat and Hiroko returns to anxiously waiting in line.

What was she so worried about Sena meeting someone for? Rather, why was she so worried? It's not like that would prevent Hiroko from being able to meet Sena tonight. Something had stirred in Hiroko's heart and driven her imagination into overdrive. Just nerves that's all. She nodded as she mentally reinforced that conclusion. Even the super prodigy who'd racked up innumerable accolades got worried when someone special was just meters away. Sena is a special person, she has no doubt about that. The Sky Captain taking a couple minutes to chat with a fan isn't going to prevent their fated meeting.

An interminably slowed line might though. Every single person in front of her seems dead set on taking all the time of day. Not that Hiroko can blame them, it's very understandable that they want to maximize their time with her. But as the time continues to drag on, Hiroko begins worrying if she'll get to the front in time. What if Sena disappears again, just as Hiroko is about to finally meet her again? That would be the cruelest turn of events imaginable. To be denied right at the culminating moment! As she shuffled forward with each fan before her completing their purchase, Hiroko's eyes kept darting to her phone screen. How much longer will Sena realistically stay at the merch table? Will the Rose Knight reach her in time or just see her fade away before the quest can be completed?

Hiroko is a bundle of nerves as another fan in front of her moves down the merch line. Just one more person in front of her! So close! When she steps up on her tip toes, Hiroko finds she can make out the finer details on Sena's jacket. Those bows are adorable! For a moment she catches Sena's gaze and thus freezes. Sena sees her! When the Sky Captain flashes a smile, it lights up the room as if the sun were centrally located in the Roseland Theater! It's an arrow straight to the Rose Knight's gallant heart. She rocks back onto the balls of her feet and sighs. This one moment is already so powerful! It's still settling in and she's just starting to calm her heart as a voice calls out to her. It cuts through her thoughts like a razor blade through butter.

Sena: "Hi there!"

Hiroko blinks, uncertain where she's at for a moment. Is this real? Is it just fantasy?

Sena: "How're you?"

Not fantasy at all. That's just Sena Kanda, the Heart Pounding Sky Captain, greeting her and waving! That little wave threatens to drown Hiroko in its cuteness. But this is what she came here for! Despite the tension and anxiety continuing to fuel doubt in her mind, the Rose Knight bravely steps forward. Her eyes hesitate to meet Sena's, and instead drift down to the wide range of portraits on display. Most are reprints of old ones from Sena's freelancer days in Japan. That's totally understandable and somehow reassuring. Which does Hiroko choose, though?! As her eyes dart between the options, she suddenly spots an outlier. An image of Sena wearing a leather jacket and giving off an undeniably cool aura. It's different from all the cute offerings of the fully geared up Sky Captain, and Hiroko immediately realizes what it is she's seeing. Hiroko jabs her index finger at the portrait and looks up at Sena in a sudden burst of confidence.

Hiroko: "Th-this one's new, right?"

Her blazing passion catches Sena off guard.

Sena: "Huh?"

Sena's eyes flit down to the image in question. Just as quickly her gaze returns to the Rose Knight.

Sena: "Oh! Yes, that's a new one we did just for tonight's show!"

Hiroko gasps.

Hiroko: "A limited run portrait?!"

Sena laughs a little.

Sena: "I guess you could put it that way. Do you want that one?"

Hiroko nods with feverish certainty.

Hiroko: "Absolutely! I would love that one."

Without prompting she pulls a $20 bill from her pocket and offers it with both hands extended. A super formal gesture, but the Sky Captain deserves nothing less than the greatest respect. Sena smiles awkwardly and gingerly takes the cash from Hiroko's hands. After that she pulls out a silver sharpie and raises an eyebrow.

Sena: "What's your name?"

Hiroko's heart stops for a moment - Sena doesn't remember her! But then, she reasons, that makes all the sense in the world. When last they met, Hiroko was just a short haired rookie barely past her debut match. Of course Sena didn't recognize her. What does she do now? Is it wrong to even tell Sena what she came to tell her? Once more the Rose Knight is frozen in indecision. It's only broken by a familiar voice speaking in Japanese.

Sena: <"Does this help? You're Japanese, right?">

Hiroko snaps out of her self imposed mental fog at this. As she responds, her voice is that of the timid rookie who first set eyes on the Sky Captain over two years ago.

Hiroko: <"Yes! My name's Miyase Hiroko.">

Sena pauses, her eyes go wide in response to the statement. So she does remember Hiroko!! Or maybe it's just the fact that meeting a Japanese fan in the US is kind of odd. That's probably it. Despite a few moments of hesitation, Sena begins to gracefully sign her name on silver ink. Hiroko follows each swoop of the pen as it forms letters and then the Sky Captain's name. How wonderful! Wait! Once this signature is finished, her time with Sena will be done! Who knows when she'll get a chance to meet Sena again! Suddenly Hiroko grows bold, and when the final 'a' is formed on the paper she reaches out to take Sena's hands in her own.

Hiroko: <"So, you know.. I'm.. so excited that you're back, Kanda-san! I saw you in Japan a couple years ago, and.. you were so beautiful as you soared through the air. I realized that even if this is hard and even if it hurts a lot sometimes, it's the only thing I want to do. I'm.. I'm a wrestler because of the brilliance of Kanda Sena-san.">

Sena just stares at her, head tilted quizzically to the right. Was that too much? Hiroko immediately begins to chastise herself for the stupidity of such an admission. Especially in such a public forum! She should just take her portrait and slink away. How could she do that to Sena? The Sky Captain probably thinks she's some weirdo now. Wait, what's tugging on her hands? She suddenly realizes it's Sena!

Sena: <"Wow, I don't know what to say. You're the Rose Knight, aren't you?>

Hiroko's eyes go wide. Sena Kanda, the Sena Kanda, knows who she is! She nods in confirmation.

Hiroko: <"Yes! But without you there wouldn't be a Rose Knight!">

Sena: <"Really? I'm touched, Hiroko-san. I didn't know you were a fan of my work.">

Hiroko responds emphatically from the heart.

Hiroko: <"Of course! I love the Heart Pounding Sky Captain more than anyone else!">

There's a long moment of silence as the two look into each other's eyes. Sena's eyes question what she's just heard. Hiroko nods in response to confirm her convictions. She feels Sena's hands slip out of hers, and for a moment wonders if she's ruined the moment. But then she sees Sena add a little note to the portrait. After it's handed to Hiroko, the Rose Knight presses on with her quest.

Hiroko: <"I was wondering, would you be interested in appearing on EWC Rampage? I just signed with EWC and it's always been my dream to team up with you. I heard that you signed with them too?">

Sena hesitates before answering noncommittally.

Sena: <"You could say that, yeah.">

Hiroko leans over the table.

Hiroko: <"Kanda Sena-san, will you please be my tag team partner for my debut? Will you fight by my side so I can show you the same brilliance you showed me?">

Sena hesitates again.

Sena: <"I mean.. if I can fit it into my schedule, I'll consider it.">

Hiroko beams.

Hiroko: <"Wonderful! Thank you so much, Captain! You won't regret it!">

She playfully offers a salute ala Sena's signature pose. Sena returns a jaunty salute of her own, which sets Hiroko's heart racing! Running on instinct by this point, Hiroko takes Sena's hand and turns on the knightly charm.

Hiroko: <"Until next we meet, Sena-san.">

To seal the moment in time, she leans down and kisses Sena's hand. A moment later she steps away and bows dramatically. Only after turning to return to her seat does Hiroko realize how warm her cheeks have suddenly gotten. Is she blushing? No, must just be the heat of so many people in one place. One thing's for sure though, reinforced by the feeling of joy she gets from the signed portrait in her hands.

This is one of the best nights of her life.