After that, we spent more and more time together, ultimately becoming a couple. Then 2 years later, after Mei graduated college, we got married and had our only daughter, Manami—Nami for short. Her name also means life, just like her mother’s. It also means love, which is why we decided to give her that name—she’ll grow up to be full of life and full of love. Well…that’s the plan, at least. 

[When Manami’s 10 years old]

“Nami!” Calls Mei. “Hurry and come eat your breakfast before you have to leave for school!”

“Coming mommy!” Manami runs to sit at the dining room table, like she’s told. With the smell of freshly made eggs and bacon in the air, Mei starts to set three plates. “Good morning daddy!” Greets Manami, as I join them. 

“Good morning!” Walking up to Mei, I give her a sweet peck on the cheek. “Do you want any help with that?”

“No need.” Mei replies with a loving expression. “Go ahead and sit.” 

Sitting next to Nami, I gently pet her on the head. “Ready for the first day back to school.”

Giving me a big smile she says, “Yep! I can’t wait to show everyone the new song you taught me on the guitar! Everyone liked the last song I played for them too!”

“Oh yeah! My girl is already a star.” She starts to giggle as Mei joins us at the table.

“That is true.” Mei starts. “But we need to remember to also do our school work, okay? Because without an education we can’t—“

“Become the musician I want.” Manami says proudly, puffing out her chest.

Mei and I both giggle at our daughter’s answer.

 “It’s ‘do what we want’, but close enough.” Mei adds, still chuckling. 

“Now eat, so you’re not late.” I comment. “Because without food…we’ll die.”

Manami starts laughing uncontrollably. And it being so contagious, Mei and I join her. 

[A Few Minutes Later]

Now standing at the entrance of the bar, we’re seeing Manami off to school.

“Okay, you’re sure you have everything?” Mei asks. “All of your notebooks, enough pencils, and your lunch?”

“Yes mommy. I have everything.”

“And you’re sure you don’t need us to walk you?” I skeptically ask. 

“I’ll be fine!” She says confidently. “And if a stranger tries to talk to me, I have my whistle.”

“Ohh!” Mei kneels down and hugs Manami. “My baby is growing up so fast. Now you be safe, and we’ll pick you after school.”

No longer embracing each other, Nami waves as she scampers off and shouts, “‘Kay! I love you guys!”

“I love you Nami!”

“And I love you too!” I add, watching intently as our daughter runs further away. “Have a good day at school!”

Mei closes the door, as I’m still staring outside, even though Nami isn’t visible anymore. Finally with the desire to move, I follow Mei back upstairs. 

‘Even though I say that with a straight face.’ I think to myself. ‘Honestly…I don’t want Nami to go to school on her own. But Mei says it’s the right time for her. I really want to believe that…but…I just can’t. It’s hard for a parent, especially a father, to let their daughter go out into the world on her own at such an age. 

“You’re making that face again.” Mei says in a teasing voice. “Be careful. You’ll cause premature wrinkles.”

Following Mei into the kitchen, she starts to clean up. I start to speak in a sulking tone, “I still think it’s too soon to let her walk to school alone.” 

“I know you do.” Mei turns on the faucet, in the kitchen sink, as she continues. “But 10 is a good age. She has to know we trust her to make the right decisions.”

“And letting her walk to school alone is the best way to do that?” I respond, drying the dishes as she washes them.

“For now…yes. We start small and as she gets older and shows she can handle the things we let her do, we’ll let her do more: Stay home alone, cook her own meals, walk home on her own. You’ll probably even let her work the bar on her own one day.”

My eyes widen at her last comment. “Now that last one is a bit much.”

Mei starts to giggle. “Of course, not anytime soon. But as time goes on and she’s getting older, she’ll have more responsibilities. It’s better to teach her sooner rather than later.”

“I know but—“ I pause, not wanting to acknowledge the fact she is going to grow up someday. Mei must have realized what’s bothering me and she places her hand on my cheek to console me. “It seems just like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital.” I say in a melancholic tone, pulling Mei into a hug. “It’s going by way too fast. I’d be fine protecting her from anything, myself.”

“And that’s all the more reason to make sure we prepare her for the world. Both the bad things and the good things about it. And if she ever needs help, in any way, she’ll know she can count on us. She’ll know we’ll always be there for her. Because we let her experience life in her own way, while also guiding her in the right direction.”

Listening to Mei reminded me why I fell in love with her. ‘She’s so level headed and full of life. Just like her name represents.’

“You’re right. As always. I love you.”

“I know I am. And I love you too.” She quickly pecks me on the lips. “Plus, she mostly takes after me as far as mannerisms go, anyway. So she’ll be fine.”

My heart skips a beat at her words. “That’s exactly why I’m worried. She’ll probably just walk into a bar one day, before she’s 21, and just fall in love with the guy who runs the place. Ah. My poor Manami.”

 Mei squints her face, as she playfully punches my chest. “So that’s how you really think about it, huh?”

“Not at that moment. But now that I have a daughter, I’m a changed man.”

“Okay…’changed man’,” she says sarcastically. “Let go of me, so I can finish these dishes.”

‘Did I say something wrong?’ I think to myself. 

“Oh! I just remembered I need to go buy more supplies for downstairs. I’ll see you later?”

“See you later. Be careful!”

After I leave Mei, she starts to catch a random episode of vertigo. But she didn’t know that random vertigo meant something.

[Mei’s POV: Later That Night]

“Nami! It’s time for bed, so lights out okay!” Doing as she’s told, I notice Nami’s in a sour mood, from the sad look on her face. I sit at the edge of her bed and start to speak with a tender voice. “What’s the matter sweetheart? You seemed fine at dinner.”

“Mommy? Daddy has a real job right?”

“Of course, honey. Why would you ask that?” Nami doesn’t answer my question and fidgets with her guitar Honjo got for her birthday last year.  

‘I’m sure she just doesn’t want to snitch on the kids at school.’ I think to myself. 

“You know.” I continue softly. “A lot of people have their opinions on what people should do with their life. And although it’s alright for everyone to have their own opinions, there are some people who like to force their opinions onto others. People like that are what we call bullies. 

“I don’t like bullies.” Nami adds sharply. 

“None of us do. It’s not right to tell someone what they should do with their life. Everyone should do what makes them happy. No matter what anyone thinks.”

“And running a bar is what makes daddy happy?”

“Yep, but it’s not just running the bar itself that makes him happy.” I move to sit next to Nami at the head of her bed and let her lay her head on my lap. “The bar is a place for daddy to invite people to come and have fun.”

“Have fun, how?” She asks curiously. 

“Well. They sing, dance, have drinks with one another. And sometimes, daddy plays songs for them on his guitar, like he does for you.”

Nami gawks at my words. “Really?”

“Mhm. And do you know why daddy does all of this?” She silently shakes her head no. “Because daddy provides a safe place for people to escape to.”

“Like Peter Pan?”

“That’s right! Like Peter Pan. Daddy’s bar is Neverland for the grown ups in the world. So the next time someone tries to talk mean about daddy. Just remember that daddy is like Peter Pan. Okay?”

“Okay!” She says, finally smiling again.

“There’s that smile.” I hold Nami close to my heart. “I love it when my baby is smiling and happy. Now get some sleep.”

“Goodnight mommy. Tell daddy I said good night too.”

“I will, baby. Sweet dreams.”

Turning off the light and closing her bedroom door I have a separate thought. ‘I didn’t know there were people who thought that way of Honjo. I’ll talk with him about it when he closes up.’

Honjo is downstairs, running the bar. While he does that I’ve been writing books. I’ve written 2 since I graduated college and both are a success. I’m wanting to write a third book, but I’m not quite sure what I want it to be about. 

Now in the living room, I reach for my laptop that’s resting on the coffee table in the middle of the room. As I lean down I get another episode of vertigo. It’s worse this time. Everything around me starts to spin like I’m on a teacup ride at a carnival. I look for the closest thing to me to try and catch my balance. Seeing the couche’s arm rest, I slowly reach for it. In my attempt, my vision starts to darken, and I fall to the floor. 

“H—Honjo.” Is the last I say before I fully lose consciousness. 

[Honjo’s POV: A Few Hours Later]

“Get home safe! Have a goodnight!” Closing up shop, I happily head upstairs thinking I’m going to find Mei sitting on the couch writing, and waiting for me, like she normally does. Instead, I find her passed out on the floor. 

“Mei?” I run to her aid and lean her up. “Mei? Can you hear me?”

She doesn’t respond. I start to worry, noticing her face is pale. Holding my breath, I place my hand under her nose to check if she’s breathing. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest, from the rising anxiety, it almost hurts. I suddenly feel a subtle current of air exit her nose. Filled with relief, I let go of the breath I’m holding. “Thank god. I’m here Mei. Let’s get you to a hospital.”

Lifting Mei from the floor, I run to the door completely forgetting about our daughter, who’s sleeping in the other room.