"Two Students, One Teacher"
by William Raymer
Synopsis: Daniel LaRusso (the main character of Karate Kid movies 1-3) and Julie Pierce (the main character from The Next Karate Kid) meet each other at the wake of their mutual sensei, Mr. Miyagi.
This story is dedicated to the memory of Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, who will forever be known as Mr. Miyagi.
Daniel LaRusso looked at the many people in the house and wondered how many lives the late Kesuke Miyagi touched in his 73 years on Earth. Of course, his life was one of them. And, in the 21 years since moving to California and his first victory in the All-Valley Under 18 Karate Championship tournament, Daniel had been friends of Mr. Miyagi. Even when Miyagi moved to Massachusetts a decade ago, he had kept up close contact with Miyagi. Now, he had to say goodbye.
Elsewhere at the party, Julie Pierce looked at the crowd. Mr. Miyagi had known her grandfather, and like the person she wanted to meet, had been a troubled child until Miyagi taught her the martial arts. Julie turned and saw a man of about her age. "Excuse me," Julie asked the man. "Can you tell me where I may find Daniel LaRusso?" "You're looking at him," Daniel said. "You must be Julie Pierce."
Julie nodded. "Mr. Miyagi told me a lot about you," she said. "And me of you," Daniel said. "I pictured you a little taller," Julie said. "That's what my ex-wife said when she met me," Daniel said. "When Mr. Miyagi taught you, what was the craziest chore he had you do to teach you karate?"
"Well, one time, he taught me how to waltz under the cover of teaching me a new kata," Julie said. "And you?" Daniel closed his eyes as he remembered. "Wax on, wax off," he said in a whisper. Julie smiled. She too was admonished, "Wax on, wax off" during her training.
"I'm gonna miss him," Daniel said as he looked at a bonsai tree on the table they stood next to. "Me too," Julie said. "Mr. Miyagi was one in a million."
Their eyes then were drawn to an American flag on the mantle, folded in a triangle, customary for American servicemen who have died. A brass plaque attached to the frame read:
SGT. KEISUKE MIYAGI
UNITED STATES ARMY
1932-2005
Gone but not forgotten….
"The plaque says it all," Daniel said. "Listen, Julie, you want to go out and get a drink or a bite to eat?" As Julie and Daniel left the house, Julie said, "I'd like that."