30 minutes and 30 years

2004

My dream is to become a professional soccer player.

I have been playing soccer since I was 5, I was still in kindergarten back then. I still remember clearly, 13 years ago, when my father accompanied me to my first game. My team didn't win though, we could've won if I had goaled it on the opposite side of the field. I cried all the way home because of embarrassment, but my dad told me I still had a long way to go.

My dad had always wanted to become a professional soccer player, but it was against my grandparents' wishes. He became a doctor instead, and soon enough, he loved helping those who were sick, and that was how my mom fell in love with him.

Although he never became a professional soccer player, he never pressured me to become one. My parents always said they will support me and my older sister in the paths we choose and the dreams we want to chase. But being a professional soccer player wasn't only his dream, it was also mine.

Last year, a coach from Manchester watched me play and praised my skills in soccer. My dad knew very well about my dream, so he talked to the coach. Just last week, I received an offer from Manchester. I had been accepted to the university and I couldn't be happier.

I am on my way to the convenience store, where we have hung out for years. I am going to tell Sana about the good news. I had just finished practicing. I walked uphill since the convenience store was on a plateau.

As I got closer, I saw Sana sitting on the bench under the tree in front of the convenience store. Her ponytail was loose and fell over her shoulder. She was wearing her earphones, but this time, she wasn't listening to those cassette tapes anymore, though she still kept them in her room. iPods are a thing now, and she recently got one. She was eating ice cream while reading a book titled "Emma" by Jane Austen.

Sana loves everything that feeds her soul. Books, music and art. She wasn't the extravagant one. She didn't ask for much during her birthday. When my parents ask her what she wanted for her birthday, the answers were either a book or her mother to stop working.

I've always understood their situation. When we were young, she ranked 1st in her class and received a medal and a certificate. But instead of rejoicing, she cried on stage. It wasn't caused by tears of joy, but it was because her mother failed to attend the ceremony. So my parents decided to go on stage in her mom's place, and received the awards. From that day, I decided to always be there for her.

"Hey. What kind of flavor are you eating?"

She looked up from her book and looked at me with a blank expression.

"To answer your question, strawberry, and don't 'hey' me." She looked at her watch and fixed it. "You're exactly 30 minutes late. I have been waiting here since 5:05." She looked at me with her eyebrows furrowed.

I sat beside her, "I'm sorry. I had to jog 30 laps, you know."

"It's okay. I didn't know."

I looked at the city view from where we sat. The view of Osaka was always breathtaking from here. You could see everything in Osaka, which is only a quarter of Japan, and is like a quark from space. Everything from the city lights, how the sky meets the sea, and how the blue sky turns into shades of orange, red and yellow is so beautiful. Soon, I'll be off to the other side of the world, and I'll get to see more like this.

Sana snapped her fingers in front of my face. I dozed off looking at the breathtaking view.

She laughed. I looked at her, and also laughed.

I stared at her for a second.

"So what was it you wanted to tell me about?" She smiled while fixing my hair. "You have to brush your hair often, you know."

I inhaled. "I got scouted, Sana. I'm going to Manchester, in the UK."

She stopped fixing my hair. I waited for her reaction.

She stared at me and put her hands on her lap.

"What?" I asked. "Why don't you look happy?"

She shook her head. "I am, Yuta. But, I can't believe it."

I raised an eyebrow.

"How did you get scouted? I get that you're a good athlete. But with your grades?" She laughed out loud and clapped her hands.

I was mesmerized. "Hey! That's way too far!" I started laughing with her.

"But seriously, Yuta," She smiled at me. "You're close to your dreams. When are you going?"

"Probably this May."

She sighed. "I'm going to miss you, Yuta. You know, we grew up together." She chuckled.

"I'm going to miss you too, but don't worry Sana, I'm going to mail you occasionally."

"Are you sure?"

"I assure you."

We smiled at each other.

We both watched the sun go down and the moon appear.

We went home together afterwards.

In 3 months, I'll be on the other side of the world, I'll see more of what's there, how the sun meets the sea and what time. I'm going to go out there and experience the real world.