Fuse watched from the far side of the Kaiyū-shiki-teien, a strolling garden which was meant to be enjoyed by peaceful walks around a tranquil pond. The garden was full of different scenes intended to evoke the beauty and feelings of different seasons and harmonies.

It was, according to Fuse, the perfect place to find his lost love. The young woman Fuse had left behind when he flew to America with Golden Pro Wrestling Commissioner Parker Meloche.

And there she was, sitting silent and nervous on a small bench; she had been gracious enough to meet Fuse here after their years apart.

Wearing blue jeans and a tight, tucked-in black T-shirt, Fuse approached cautiously. Aiko didn’t see Fuse walking toward her, so he calmly sat down on the bench next to her. She finally turned her head and looked into his eyes, but her expression remained neutral.

Fuse frowned.

“Aiko,” he began. “I have missed you very much.”

Her suddenly furrowed brow betrayed pain before she looked down at her lap. Fuse knew that his sudden departure from Tano, Japan had left her in a lurch without answers. Their relationship had been so intimate until that point, and Fuse had never given her any opportunity for closure.

“I am so sorry… for leaving,” he continued softly. “I cannot explain why I left, or why I did not say goodbye.”

Aiko looked back up toward Fuse with vulnerable, tear-filled eyes.

“Fuse, you had my heart here in Tano, and you took it with you to America. And you never gave it back.”

Her deep wording sent a jolt of distress through Fuse. During all his time away, he had never tried to reach back to Aiko.

“I’m so-”

Before Fuse could apologize, Aiko cut him off.

“You’re sorry? You disappear and leave me heartbroken, and you’re sorry?”

Fuse opened his mouth to speak, and again Aiko cut him off.

“And when you returned home as big American pro wrestling champion, you didn’t even try to see me.”

The former Pure Gold Champion remembered it clearly. After defeating Violence at The Golden Moment, he had come home to Japan to honor his father and had hastily ignored seeing Aiko. He never understood why, except he figured himself for a coward.

“I’m so sorry, Aiko. I really am. I have no explanation for my actions other than I knew I had hurt you, and I knew I would only have to leave once again.”

Aiko cocked an eye in suspicion.

“Ah, then what is so different this time, Fuse?” she asked.

“It… is difficult to explain. I do not know how long I expect to be here… there are people who I must confront. People who are trying to take advantage of my family.”

The face of Fuse’s former sweetheart softened with concern.

“Have you checked in on your father and mother?”

Fuse looked down and nodded.

“Yes, right when I returned. They have not been threatened outright, but I know it is coming. That’s why I have returned… to stop it before things get worse.”

Of course, Fuse was referring to the Yakuza. The Japanese crime syndicate had beleaguered Fuse throughout Season 4 of GPW, and Fuse had returned to Japan to crush Yakuza once and for all.

The young professional wrestler stood to his feet and looked down at Aiko with a kind expression.

“Aiko, I have missed you very much all the time while I was away, and I’m so very sorry for the pain I caused you,” said Fuse, who then held out an open hand. “While I am home, I would like to spend time you with, and I’d like it to start it with a walk through this Kaiyū-shiki-teien.”

Aiko, still young and beautiful, smiled back at Fuse and took his hand and let him help her up.

“Me too, Fuse. I would like that as well.”

The two held hands and began their stroll through the lovely Japanese garden.