A Realized Miracle and an Unrealized Miracle
「起きた奇跡と起きなかった奇跡と」 ピコ太郎・古坂大魔王
これは古坂大魔王さんがブログに書かれた、ピコ太郎さんとあいりちゃんの友情の話です。こんな大変な内容だとしらず電車の中で読んでしまい大変でした。あまりに心に響いたので、色々な国の人に読んでもらえるように英文にしました。
This is a translation of a blog entry by Kosaka Daimaou, AKA Pikotaro, one of the most famous Japanese comedians.
I read the blog entry a few days back and found it very touching. Therefore, I simply wanted to translate it into English so that it can be shared with people all over the world.
・The original blog entry in Japanese is here:
https://ameblo.jp/k-daimaou/entry-12408549480.html
・Pikotaro Official site:
A Realized Miracle and an Unrealized Miracle
by Kosaka Daimaou (AKA Pikotaro)
A miracle.
I don't know the exact probability it happens. It's probably a word without a definite definition. But, I feel people call something that happens at unbelievable odds "a miracle".
On September 29th, 2018, I am in Madrid, the capital city of Spain.
Pikotaro was invited by "Japan Weekend Madrid" and local popular TV program "Late Motiv", and I am with him as a producer.
Of cause, I don't deny that this situation itself is a big miracle which I never imagined would happen a few years back. But this time, I want to write about something different.
Back in last April this year...
I met a cute three-year-old girl. Her name is "AIRI-chan".
(* “-chan” is not a part of the name but is a diminutive suffix to refer to children or sometimes close friends and lovers).
We met each other through an organization. It is a wonderful organization that aims to enliven children fighting serious diseases by making their dreams come true with the help of celebrities.
Basically, those celebrities don't disclose their activities, and I was thinking to do the same.
Until I came here in Madrid...
Until I felt two miracles, "a realized miracle" and "an unrealized miracle"...
Well, I will return to AIRI-chan's story.
Happily, AIRI-chan was a big fan of Pikotaro.
AIRI-chan was fighting against one of the most difficult diseases to treat.
Due to the side effect of the strong medications she was taking, AIRI-chan lost her hair and was constantly in and out of the hospital for operations.
You know?
She is only three years old.
Really tiny.
Really tiny and cute.
So cute...
and she was trying hard, taking medical treatments that even adults could hardly endure.
Apparently, the girl seemed watched DVDs and YouTube videos of Pikotaro everyday, laughing and even dancing.
How delightful!
Once I heard about her, I could not wait to meet her. Considering her medication schedule and physical condition, it was difficult to find a time to visit. But, finally that day came.
On April 13th, our meeting was arranged in a reserved hotel room.
Pikotaro was standing in the waiting room.
We could hear a singing and laughing voice from the next room.
And then the time came ...
Pikotaro went to the room where the "strong" AIRI-chan was waiting.
Pikotaro made his entrance with pizzaz.
And waiting for Pikotaro there was none other than ...
tiny tiny Pikotaro!
She dressed like Pikotaro and was waiting for him.
With her wig and sunglasses, she was a real tiny Pikotaro!
AIRI-chan jumping full of joy, came to him with very low "high five" and hugged him. It was touching to see her mother nearby was moved to tears watching AIRI-chan.
Pikotaro started to sing right away.
A microphone stand and karaoke set were ready for him.
As soon as Pikotaro started singing PPAP, AIRI-chan ran up him and danced so happily and so intensely it was as if she was flying.
You look really like you’re flying, AIRI-chan.
Then, the song, "Neo Sunglass" followed.
She sang "Kurai, Kurai (Dark, Dark) .....Akarui (Bright) !" even louder than Pikotaro. And how cute the last phrase "Ton, Ton" was! She is just an angel.
She requested songs again and again. Sweating Pikotaro sang again and again.
"What shall we sing next?"
"Well, er... Romita Hashimicov!"
The room was filled with laughter.
Singing the song, Pikotaro felt a little guilty about its crazy lyrics but sang anyway.
AIRI-chan was jumping around him singing and laughing.
Sometimes...
her wig slipped off.
And she smiled shyly with her cute, bald head.
Three-year-old girl. Three years old.
How many songs did we sing?
We had a little break and had some chatting time with AIRI-chan sitting on Pikotaro’s lap.
Her mother had actually requested one thing to Pikotaro previously. She said that since the hard medical treatment would start again next week, it would be great if Pikotaro could tell AIRI-chan "Do your best and beat that bad stuff in your body".
Pikotaro knew he had to tell AIRI-chan.
"AIRI-chan, next week you will conquer the bad stuff, won't you? It's really...."
Then, AIRI-chan looked away and shook her head, making a sad face.
She doesn't want to hear about it, does she.
"... anyway, do your best, I will come and see you! I will send you videos, too! Let's beat them up"
AIRI-chan…
little by little,
little by little,
… smiled at me.
From then, we talked, sang and danced, going over the originally scheduled time. I thought it might hurt her if we overdid it ...
But wait! .... Perhaps? ....
AIRI-chan, maybe you will be ...
maybe .... you will be ... cured!
Stupid Pikotaro started to think so, watching AIRI-chan in front of him.
A miracle may happen!
The tough disease may just blow away with the wind!
But I know Pikotaro and I do not have such a power. I know it is medicine that cures people.
But, I am stupid.
I just believe it.
A smiling, dancing, little girl finally throwing a wig, enjoying herself with sweat on her bald head,
will never be defeated by illness!
Old chaps like us might be.
But this girl has lived only three years from her birth,
and lives full of vitality ...
She can win, yes, she can!
I know we can't do much for her,
but I can't stop thinking it could be even a little help for her complete recovery.
Like "Look! Miracle recovery! How do ya like that!".
Then, we exchanged presents ...
promised to see each other again ... and finished our party.
She was waving her hand all along.
After that, I heard about her treatment progress, and received letters from her every so often ...
Before she had a tough operation again, I wanted to see her, and she seemed to say the same though, it was difficult considering her physical condition. All I could do was send her a video.
I was thinking to sing "Can you see? I'm sushi" together with her when she gets better.
On September 27th, 2018,
AIRI-chan left for heaven.
A “miracle" did not happen.
Although a miracle did not happen,
the day AIRI-chan passed away was the day Justin Bieber retweeted Pikotaro two years ago and consequently, his name was spread out all over the world.
AIRI-chan who probably came to know Pikotaro by this passed away on the same day two years later.
And today is September 29th.
I am here in Madrid, the capital city of Spain.
Having finished a feverish Pikotaro live performance, a "Q&A" event in which Pikotaro answers questions from the audience started.
At this very moment, one very cute Spanish girl wearing a hand-made Pikotaro T-shirt raised her hand again and again, as she probably had a question she really wanted to ask.
She looked around 8 to 10 years old.
She was too short, so she couldn't be noticed. But Pikotaro noticed her and asked the local MC to pick up her question.
The girl with the microphone blushed but said, with a satisfied look,
"What is your favorite animal♡?"
What a cute question!!
But, Pikotaro gave an incomprehensible answer as usual.
"My favorite animal is an Alpaca."
Alpaca!!?
Pikotaro really loves Alpaca, but ...
Alpaca has been drawing media attention and is now very popular in Japan, but it seems it is hardly known in Spain, so the girl looked confused and went like,
"Huh??? I don't know? What kind of animal is that? ... Oh, I don't know!"
Then, Pikotaro said,
"Please, Google it!"
The girl gave a big nod, and the room erupted in laughter.
After that exchange I proceeded to the next event, the autograph session.
It is an event in a separate room exclusively for 100 participants where Pikotaro signs a Pikotaro mask and takes a photo with them. Fortunately, it was sold out.
The event was held with participants from Spain and various other European countries in a friendly atmosphere,
Just then, the Spanish girl from before came back with her father.
Oh? What?
What she had in her hand was ...
a rainbow colored ...
stuffed Alpaca Σ(ﾟДﾟ；)!!??!
"I googled it and bought it for you!! I am glad that I could find it! This is for you, Pikotaro."
Where the heck did you get it?!
It's been only one hour.
... I'm gonna cry. I'm really gonna cry
Pikotaro was so surprised and so glad, and I shed tears.
We are so lucky guys.
Then, she asked.
"Can I hug you!? Let's hug!!"
She smiled opening her arms like wings and hugged Pikotaro so tightly.
It made me cry.
"Thank you! I will write my autograph for you..."
Whenever Pikotaro writes an autograph abroad, he addresses it to the person he is writing it to. When the letters are difficult like Spanish or French, one of the staff members writes it down on a small piece of paper in advance and gives it to Pikotaro, and he writes the name looking at the paper.
The girl’s name…
On the paper, it says,
"AIRI"
A miracle.
This is a miracle.
She is AIRI-chan.
At least, I can't help believing it.
A miracle has happened.
A realized miracle and an unrealized miracle.
Two "AIRIs", one from Japan and one from Spain.
It seems "AIRI" is also quite a rare name in Spain. If so, it is an ever rarer miracle...
The reason I wrote this long, heavy, and redundant thing is...
these two miracles ...
A realized miracle and an unrealized miracle.
I just wanted to tell AIRI-chan's mother ...
And ...
I just wanted to send off AIRI-chan, who was little, strong, cute, but went to heaven too early, in my own way.
Some may say, it's just a name and mere coincidence ...
But I wonder what the actual probability of this miracle is?
It must be an unbelievably rare probability.
I believe this is a miracle.
Yes.
It's a miracle.
AIRI-chan...
Cute Alpaca ... Pikotaro says he will keep it as his treasure. Thank you.
Alpaca muy linda! Piko Taro dice que sea un tesoro. Estoy diciendo gracias.
AIRI-chan...
You don't have to go through any tough treatment anymore.
You don't have to feel any more hurt.
Pikotaro will never forget you.
Take a good rest.
Pikotaro will do funny stuff to amuse you again.
Please dance with him.
Though he will probably make a stupid song as he is always silly Pikotaro.
Please jump with us again.
Good night for now.
See you.
Pikotaro
Kosaka Daimaou
* Translated by Christopher and Amop567.
https://blog.with2.net/link/?1982423
