"Sosuke Loves Ponyo"
by William "Blissey" Raymer
"Ponyo (on the Cliff by the Sea)" and its characters and story are owned by Studio Ghibli Co., Ltd. I am merely borrowing the characters from Hayao Miyazaki-sensei, whom I have the utmost love, honor and respect for.
PROLOGUE (WHAT HAS PASSED BEFORE)
It has been fifteen years since Brunhilda (also known by the name "Ponyo," given to her by her human friend, Sosuke) permanently became a human being following the "sacred test of love."
As per his promise to Ponyo's father, Fujimoto, Sosuke has continued to love Ponyo. Slowly, but surely, Ponyo has adjusted to life as a human being. As they grew into adulthood, Ponyo and Sosuke's love began to change from what could be termed as sibling love to romantic love.
Finally, the 15th anniversary of Ponyo and Sosuke's first meeting arrived. Sosuke has a special surprise planned.
CHAPTER 1
Sosuke stood next to a row of five headstones, having placed a bouquet on each of them. "Hello, old ones," Sosuke said after a brief prayer. "Well, today's the day. I'm planning a special surprise for Ponyo. Do you want to know what it is?"
For a moment, in his mind's eye, Sosuke could see the spirits of the five old women nodding at him. "Well, let me tell you," Sosuke said. But, before he could start explaining his plans to the ghosts of the past, he could hear the crunching of gravel behind him.
Sosuke turned around and saw his father, Koichi. "Father, you made it!" Sosuke said as he ran to hug his father. "I wouldn't miss my son's big day for the world," Koichi said. "It's been fifteen years, right?"
"Yes, Father," Sosuke said. "So, what's the plan, son?" Koichi said. After a moment's thought, a frown crossed Sosuke's face. "Oh, man! I forgot to ask Fujimoto-sama! Ponyo still is his daughter, after all!" Sosuke said.
Then, Sosuke and Koichi heard a voice that Sosuke found very familiar. "Ask me what?" it said. Sosuke and Koichi turned and saw a wildly-dressed man that appeared to Sosuke to look exactly the way he remembered from the events of fifteen years before.
"Ask me what?" Fujimoto, king of the sea and Ponyo's father, repeated. "Well, I had to ask you a question, Fujimoto-sama," Sosuke said after bowing to his girlfriend's father. "Since, even though she is a human being now, Ponyo is still your daughter..."
Sosuke took a deep breath, then said, "Fujimoto-sama, father of the woman I love, I would like to ask you for the hand of your daughter, Ponyo, in marriage."
Fujimoto cocked an eyebrow. "Have you continued to fulfill the promise you made to me, Ponyo's mother, and Ponyo herself?" Fujimoto responded. "Every day since then," Sosuke answered. "I can vouch for that, Fujimoto-sama," Koichi said.
"Well, I cannot vouch for her mother just yet, but if Granmamare gives her consent, then I shall give my consent," Fujimoto said, bowing to Sosuke and Koichi. "I will return in four hours with her decision. Until then..."
"Until then, sir," Sosuke said before bowing, once again, to Fujimoto. As Fujimoto left, Sosuke smiled at Koichi. "Now, we begin the waiting game, Father," Sosuke said.
Meanwhile, in her bedroom in Sosuke's house, Ponyo was getting dressed for a party Sosuke told her he was planning for the 15th anniversary of their first meeting. Suddenly, the phone on her bedside table began to ring.
"Hello?" Ponyo said. "Hey there, love," the voice on the other end said. "Hey, Sosuke," Ponyo said. "How are things?"
"Same old, same old," Sosuke said. "Your father sends his regards." "Did you give him mine?" Ponyo asked. "Of course I did," Sosuke said. "You getting ready for the party?" "I am," Ponyo said. "I am looking forward to your surprise. But...can't you give me a clue?"
"You know better than that, Ponyo my love," Sosuke said. "Oh yes, of course," Ponyo said. "A surprise is a surprise, after all."
"I gotta go. See you at the party later, my love," Sosuke said. "Love you." "Right back at you, Sosuke," Ponyo said. "'Bye."
As that was going on, Fujimoto stood on his boat in the middle of the ocean, far from Sosuke's house. He was waiting for someone.
Suddenly, a glowing shape moved towards him. It resolved into the love of Fujimoto's life, queen of the sea and—most importantly—Ponyo's mother, Granmamare.
"Hello, my love," Fujimoto said. "The same to you," Granmamare said. "What is troubling you?" "I just came from talking with our old friend, Sosuke," Fujimoto said as Granmamare sat on the bow of his boat.
"And how is Sosuke?" Granmamare asked. "He is well, and he is treating Ponyo well as per his promise to us," Fujimoto said. "In fact, he asked me for Ponyo's hand in marriage."
"Ah," Granmamare said. "But, Ponyo is a human being now. Why would he want to ask you for permission to marry Ponyo?"
"I sensed that Sosuke wanted to honor a human tradition in which the prospective groom asks the parents of his intended for permission first. I told him that if you say it is all right, then it is all right with me," Fujimoto said.
"He has honored his promise to us and to her from 15 years ago?" Granmamare asked. "He assured me that he has," Fujimoto said.
Granmamare thought for a moment, then smiled at Fujimoto. "I sense that they will be happy together for however long their human lifespans will permit them. The word is given," she said.
"In fact," Granmamare said as she stood up, "I sense that Sosuke is planning a party where he intends to...'pop the question,' I believe the human term is...to Ponyo. Why don't we go?"
"Good idea," Fujimoto said. "Let's go."
The party begins next time.
Until then...
::TBC::
