Ocean Waves

It's been twenty years since Morisaki Taku has set foot in his hometown of Manazuru. As a young boy, he had spent countless summers fishing with his best friend Yoko Matsutani. Kichijoji Station, located in the heart of Tokyo, was the starting point for many of their adventures. However, upon glancing across the platform one day, Taku catches a glimpse of a woman he recognizes. Her name was Rika Minato, and to Taku, she embodied the epitome of a girl-next-door type. In their small fishing town of Manazuru, things moved slowly, and the bonds between neighbors were strong. Rika was a year younger than Taku, and she was the kind of person who would always be present when you needed her. Taku can't help but be intrigued by the coincidence of seeing her at the bustling Kichijoji Station. Maybe it's this fleeting encounter that sparks the memories of his childhood. As he watches, Rika boards the train and disappears into the crowd. As the reality of the moment dawns on him, Taku returns to his apartment to find the memories flooding back. It is here, among the familiar walls and dusty shelves that Rika's photo catches his eye. As he quickly flips through the memories stored in the boxes that line his room, Taku becomes aware that Rika's photograph has become lodged between two of the boxes. Taking a seat on his bed, Taku picks up Rika's photograph. Her bright smile and sparkling eyes take him back to a time when life seemed simpler. A time when friendships were forged in the quiet moments spent sharing secrets and confidences. He then quickly places the photograph back among the boxes and exits his apartment as he takes one flight to Kōchi Prefecture. Taku recounts a summer when he turned seventeen. He found himself stuck in an awkward stage in his life. One day while Taku was out with friends in a beach side town, a severe earthquake hit the region triggering tidal waves to wash away key aspects of the town. This year was marred by tragedy, hardship, and personal loss. A friend named Kei Yoshima lost his life while Taku, who, for some reason, allowed feelings to go unclear, lost a potentially momentous experience that would never be retrieved. As Taku attempts to revive memories of his past, he stumbles upon a fragment of the summer when Taku finally made headway with the girl of his dreams. When reflecting back on the experiences of Yoko, his friend for years, Takuno finally decides it is time to be frank in order to finally close the gap of how so long before Taku must admit to understanding how deep the roots of understanding Yoko were, and after putting so much of his existence out to a very person unreciprocated feelings all came pouring out.