My son and I stood at the train platform in Ito station at about 3pm yesterday. We had just debarked the Odoriko and we're waiting for the local train so we could get to Kawana, a little closer to our final destination near Lake Ippeki.
As we stood there trying to not be too cool, my son 49, and I couldn't help but look gaijin. The few people around us showed no sign of recognizing our cool demeanor.
Suddenly, my son yels an expletive in Portuguese (He's part Brazilian) and take off running,. I turned around and I see a man lying on the rails. My son jumps down next to the man grabs him under his arms from the back lifts him where I and an young woman reach down and grab an arm to pull the limp body up onto the platform. This all happened in a flash. No one else moved. Then someone hit the alarm which started an awful noise. Station staff came out running. My son and I walked back to where our luggage sat by itself. A small queue had gathered around the man who seemed dazed now sitting on a wheelchair station staff brought. An station employee was handing the girl who helped drag the man up, moist paper tissue to attempt to wipe a little bit of blood from the injured man the stained the front of her blouse.
As we got back to our spot by our luggage I high-fived him for his quick action. No one spoke to us or acknowledged my son for what he did. Except a senior couple who sat nearby. They were both smiling behind their masks and silently clapping their hands. They continued to do that every time I glanced their way in the local train everyone boarded. As we got off at Kawana the couple waved us sayonara!
It's been two years since my son's last visit and we're going to spend most of his visit in Ito and thereabouts. His birthday is coming up. His sister and boyfriend are joining us tomorrow with my wife who's Japanese.
I'm just so glad a train was not coming. This could have been a tragedy.
I'm very proud of my son. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with his quickness reacting to the situation but admire it a the same time. He did not hesitate a moment to go help that man.
Well done, son!
by McAkoveio1