"Thanks for bringing me here," Eri said to Hiroshi, as she took in the sight of the Pacific Ocean.

     “You’re welcome,” Hiroshi said to Eri, before holding hands.

     "Honestly, though, it was either here or Hawaii."

     “This is fine. I wouldn't have minded either way,” Eri said. “Then again, we only have a few days of summer left, so we could do without the extra paperwork.”

     “True,” said Hiroshi.

     The newlyweds, both in their favorite swimsuits and sunglasses, were taking in the view of the ocean while lying on a beach cloth. The scenery included green plateaus at the other side of the beach, with the sun and passing clouds complementing the scenery like a work of art. In short, the couple were at awe by what Japan's Okinawa Prefecture had to offer to both the locals and tourists.

     “It's a shame Itsumi couldn't join us to admire this scenery," Eri said, even though their honeymoon did overlap with Itsumi's studies.

     “Yeah,” Hiroshi said. "I did promise her photos from our honeymoon, plus the cool spots we'll be heading to."

     “And what about souvenirs?" Eri asked, as she pulled up her smartphone.

     “Those too,” Hiroshi said, "but I haven't decided what to get her."

     “We'll think of something," Eri said, as she snapped a few shots of the scenery around the pair. Then, she proceeded to snap a photo of Hiroshi, who wasn’t quite ready, before posing for a selfie together.

Eri scrolled through the photos she took while trying to wipe sand off her fingers, with Hiroshi looking over.

     "Can you send me some?" Hiroshi asked.

     "Sure! I’ll send it to you via bluetooth," Eri said as Hiroshi pulled out his phone.

     Shortly after he had received the photos, Eri couldn't help but notice a particular look on Hiroshi's face. It was only for a brief moment, but she was able to see what her husband was staring at: a photo of the family and guests posing for the wedding photo. More than anything, it was the face of a man who was proud to be surrounded by people who loved him, but also a person who had lost loved ones as well.

     "What's wrong?" Eri asked.

     "Nothing," Hiroshi said.

     “That’s a lot of nothing troubling you,” Eri said. She dragged herself closer to Hiroshi with her hip, and rested over his shoulders where she had a clearer view of the photo. "You can tell me anything. You're thinking about your parents, aren't you?" she asked.

Hiroshi nodded with a deep breath. "Yeah," he said. "I wish they could see us now. You know, there’s something that my dad said to me when I was a kid."

     "What was that?" Eri asked.

     "That, when I grew up, I’d make him proud," Hiroshi said.

"You look great," Mrs. Michio said as she helped young Hiroshi look presentable in his school uniform.

     "Are we set to go?" Mr. Michio asked Hiroshi, as he checked on his wife and son in the mansion’s hall.

     “Yes, dad,” Hiroshi said with readiness, as he looked up to his father.

It was about two decades ago when Hiroshi found himself preparing for his first day of school as a first grader. Like a happy child unwrapping a new gift, he was eagerly looking forward to what school life had to offer, never mind the hardships of being a student that would come with it.

     "The driver will drop me off at work, but we shall drop you off along the way," Mr. Michio said to Hiroshi, as he escorted his son to the entrance.

As an energetic child, Hiroshi took several steps till he was ahead of his father.

     “Slow down,” Mr. Michio advised his son.

     In no time, they were both next to the family car. Mrs. Michio, having watched her husband and son make their way to the car, waited by the entrance to wave goodbye to her husband and son. As the gates gradually opened, the black car slowly made its way out and into the highway. Thus began Hiroshi’s journey through elementary school.

     Schooling would become a big part of Hiroshi’s life for years to come, but it wouldn't be till he was over nine years old, a little over three years later, when he realized the importance of education. No longer seeing school life as funtime with fellow schoolmates but, instead, an opportunity to learn. What brought him further down to reality was what his mother would say to him once.

     “If you don’t get good grades, you may not find work when you grow up,” she said.

     By this point, despite being a child, Hiroshi knew the importance for a man to be employed, from affording a home to starting a family. He would need to talk to his father for advice.

One weekend, given the go-ahead, Hiroshi made his way to his father’s steel factory, so that he could spend the afternoon with him at his office. Since he was already at work, Mr. Michio instructed the driver to bring his son over.

     “Welcome, son. Come and sit next to me," Mr. Micho said, as the factory’s supervisor escorted Hiroshi into his father's office.

     Mr. Michio got up and made his way to the office fridge, where he pulled out some biscuits and beverages to share with Hiroshi.

     “So, what was that you wanted to tell me? You sounded lost in words when we spoke on the phone earlier,” Mr. Michio said.

     “Dad, when you were younger, did you always know what your line of work was going to be?” Hiroshi asked.

     “Why, of course, son; I was going to inherit this factory from your grandfather!” Mr. Micho said.

Hiroshi seemed stunned by the revelation.

     “Oh! I never did tell you, did I?” Mr. Michio said, as he noticed his son’s reaction as he shook his head. “Well, this factory used to belong to your grandfather, and your great grandfather before him. It has been a part of the Michio lineage.” He then changed the subject by asking, “What’s on your mind?”

     “Well, before you brought up the factory, I didn't know what I wanted to be, or what I should be studying for,” Hiroshi said. “What if I study for work that isn’t in demand, or I don’t find a girl to marry?”

     “I see. A boy finally wants to become a man,” Mr. Micho remarked in admiration. He got up from his seat to sit in front of Hiroshi, and he then said, “Son, you don’t have to put all that pressure on yourself right now; you still have many years ahead of you, so you have plenty of time to prepare. Concentrate on your studies and, when the time is right, you’ll figure out a career path from there. But, if you're having trouble finding work, you can always take over the steel factory.” There was a long pause between him and Hiroshi, before adding, “As for marriage, same. Finish your studies, and find work. You'll need money to look after yourself and your future wife. Only then you can find someone to marry.”

     Hiroshi wasn’t sure as to what to make of his father’s advice in finding a career, seeing it as non-answer. Not anywhere the same age as his father, on the other hand, he chose to just trust in his father’s wisdom. As for marriage, the importance of finding a job first was what he had already understood prior to the visit.

     “Okay,” Hiroshi said to his father.

     “Do you have anything else to ask?” Mr. Michio asked.

     “No, dad,” Hiroshi said.

     “I need to run some errands. I won’t take long,” Mr. Michio said to his son, as he rose up from his seat. But, as he approached the office door, he turned around, and added, “Hiroshi, whatever career you decide to pursue, or the girl you want to marry, I’m sure you’ll make me proud.”

     “Thanks, dad,” Hiroshi said with a faint smile.

     Mr. Michio stepped out of the office, leaving Hiroshi alone with his snacks. As advised, Little Hiroshi would go on to focus more on his studies. As he grew older, every school year, he became one of five top students to excel in class, graduating from high school with honors. With a master’s degree in his hands, in his mid twenties, he would owe his success to his late parents.