A while back, a buddy of mine visited from the U.S. with his wife. Back then, they were just dating, and now, there’s a baby nestled in his strong arms. 🌟 Ages ago, we spent over 10 hours a day together at school, and would walk two hours from the San Francisco pier back to Japantown to get home. Time was on our side, and walking that much was nothing. I could fearlessly cross the tough Tenderloin thanks to my muscular friend, who called me ‘Big Bro.’ I really loved that nickname.
Back then, I was full of worries. I had a job, but felt like I needed to do something bigger. If I could do it, shouldn’t I? I felt I had to act before it was too late. Getting tangled in those thoughts made me feel empty and anxious. My friend was a huge support. Being with him made those complicated thoughts disappear in an instant. 💭
‘Big Bro, let’s eat.’
‘Big Bro, let’s go home.’
‘Alright, then I’m heading out.’
He was always clear and sure. Simple and straightforward. No secrets. Honest. He went to school, did his assignments, loved his girlfriend. If something was funny, he laughed out loud; if something annoyed him, he stayed silent. There was no other expression behind his face. He never begged or persuaded. Once he said something, he never took it back. And his arms were always flexed with muscle. 💪
Lately, work has been stressing me out. Not because I’m moving forward, but because of the relentless nitpicking of inevitable outcomes, and the exhausting energy spent defending them. In an environment where everyone only looks three months or a month ahead, having a long-term vision feels like rebellion. Words constantly change, and I have to explain the same thing to different people. Then I watched ‘The First Slam Dunk.’ 🏀
オヤジ の栄光時代はいつだよ・全日本のときか？ オレ は・・・オレ は今なんだ!!
When was your glory day, old man? Was it when you were a national player? For me… it’s right now!!
This animation has none of those messy, complicated relationships. It’s just about loving basketball and wanting to excel right now. It’s about finding ways to overcome each moment. Each person fights their own battle but stands beside one another to cheer each other on. They sometimes exchange positive feedback. The only issues are missed shots and rebounds that don’t go as planned. Overcoming them involves a million tiny pivots and fresh attempts. 🏀
Last Tuesday, I was worn out from similar work, so I wrapped up quickly and went to see ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 3.’ A friend had recommended it with a ‘You really must watch it just once,’ kind of plea, like it was a title pinned inside my skull as a reminder. By midnight, as the movie wrapped up, I felt all my stress wash away again. 🌌 When asked why go into a trap, Star-Lord’s answer seemed so obvious.
We’re here to save the life of our friend. That is all.
We’re saving a friend. That’s all there is to it.
Our friend is captured there. That’s reason enough. No need to think twice. Protecting the universe with friends is meaningful, and when a friend is in danger, you go save them. No other considerations. Like a racehorse with blinders, just sprint to the friend’s location. Figure out the rest from there. 🚀
Watching those characters bicker with such values makes me happy, and I realize why I like my friend so much. He’s not a fictional character; he’s real. He expects nothing from me. If he wants to meet and it’s possible, he reaches out. When I get his message, I make time—no other thoughts needed. 🤝
After having dinner together, we stepped outside. He nodded goodbye and lifted his child onto his shoulders. Hand in hand with his wife, they walked away slowly. I watched them for quite a while. 👨👩👦
I sincerely hope we get to meet again soon. 🌟
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