Toro and I decided it would be best to train for two more weeks. He was relentless in my training.

I barfed, I collapsed, I may have even cried. But no matter what, Toro picked me up.

Manami gave me encouraging words every day.

After my training was done. It was decided that Toro and Catalina would come along for part of the climb to make sure everything went well. I appreciated them for it.

Today, I’ve been invited to Manami’s home to speak with her parents about our date. I wouldn’t dare anger her mother again.

Manami must have sprinkled a spell outside of her house as I can’t take a step onto the porch without losing the strength in my legs. But the opportunity to see the room of my girlfriend is one that I can’t let slip through my fingers.

I give myself a good slap and ring the doorbell. I hear someone scrambling inside and a younger boy yelling that someone is at the door.

After a few seconds, a man opens the door. “May I help you?” He was about the same height as Manami’s mom with black hair. Also, he had the same eyebrows as Manami, they’re as pretty as they are on her.

“Oh, yes sir, I’m here to see Manami… My name is Myo.”

“I’m her dad, I didn’t hear anything about this.” He crosses his arm and scans me as if trying to find every fault.

‘Mom, have you seen my-” Manami runs across the hallway behind her dad. She stops and stares my way with her mouth open. Then, tears streamed from her eyes, and she covered her face as she ran up the stairs.

There wasn’t anything odd on her face. But it was clear that she didn’t want me to see her as she was. She had no hair. And that was a vulnerability that she may never have wanted me to see.

“Manami?!” Her mom walks into the hallway with an apron on and notices me at the door. “Honey… we forgot to tell you he was coming today.”

“Sorry, I should have checked first.”

“Excuse me sir, do you mind if I go see her?”

“Hmm?” Manami’s dad turns and gives me another scan, afterwards he opens the door and waves me in.

“Myo, if she doesn’t come out then come talk to me, I’ll help you. Turn left at the top and it’s the first door on your right.”

“Thanks.” I take my shoes off and head upstairs.

I sit outside Manami’s door by the wall. I’m afraid. Seeing the tears fall from her eyes broke my heart. And I could never forgive myself if I made her feel worse.

“Manami.” I waited for about a minute, but I got no response. After knocking a few times, I heard her turn on her bed. “Can we talk?”

I don’t hear her make any more movements. She may have thought I would leave after some time, but I have no plans of going anywhere without seeing her.

“Manami.”

“I’m sorry Myo, can you come another day instead?” She responds.

“I can’t. This has to be now. Just let me say a few words and I’ll head out.”

I hear Manami walk over and sit behind the door. “Go ahead.”

I didn’t plan for this moment. Knowing how stubborn she can be, I thought I would have to come back another day. I may have preferred that to having to think of the right thing to say.

“Manami. Right now, what I want is to see you. But I think it’s unfair if I keep the real me hidden away from you as well. The Myo you see every day, who’s willing to get into fights, isn’t afraid to talk to anyone, and acts like he doesn’t have a care in the world. All of it is a lie.”

“What do you mean?”

“I… the real me is a coward and weak. I act tough because I don’t want anyone to look down on me. I don’t want the people I care about to think less of me. It’s why I made Toro call me big bro. Because I’m afraid he’ll realize that every time I fight, my legs shake. I’m afraid he’ll see that I used him to scare away bigger bullies as kids.” By now my lip was quivering, but releasing what I had buried deep within brought a great sense of relief and I could no longer stop. “And with you, I lied when I said I could make you happy. I don’t know if I can. But after what you said, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try. So, every day since, I wake up afraid that I’ll fail. I smile but… inside I’m worried everything will fall apart. I’m very reliant on others, whenever I feel I might break, I look for someone I don’t want to fail. Whether it’s a friend, my mom, or the others at the hospital. But recently it’s been you. Whenever I look at you, I feel at ease. I can really say that I’m ok. That I can keep going.”

Manami doesn’t respond right away, but I hear her move closer and tap the door. “I don’t think you’re a coward or weak. I’m happy you see me as someone you can find comfort in, I want to be that person for you…I know you have your insecurities, but I think you’re wrong about yourself. Being able to put on a smile every day, always trying your hardest at what you do, and never faltering despite being so unsure of yourself. I think that makes you the bravest and kindest person I’ve ever met.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Hearing her kind words is like a dream to me. Revealing a side of me to her that I haven’t revealed to anyone was difficult. But as she spoke, I could feel the worry being replaced with relief.

“Can I say what I think about you?”

“Go ahead.”

“I need to see you.”

I didn’t expect Manami to accept my condition, but I heard the lock turn and the door open just a bit.

I open the door some more and crawl inside. Manami remained sitting in front of the door, just far enough so it wouldn’t hit her. She covered her face with her hands.

It may be a mistake to force her, but I place my hands over hers and begin to move them away. She resisted at first, but each second that passes reveals more of her face to me. Her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks flushed, but she stared at me in anticipation of what I would say next.

“I think you’re beautiful.” She doesn’t turn away as she begins to cry again. Instead, she chooses to keep eye contact which pushes me to continue. “I think you’re sweet and hardworking, you’re everything I could ask for. But most of all, I think you deserve to be happy. And no matter what, I’ll do my best to help you feel that way.”

I could have continued but she embraced with enough strength to make it difficult to talk. It may have been her way of saying “Don’t say anything else I can’t take anymore.” Or she thought, at least I did, that she never wanted to let this moment end.

And so, I embraced her. Hoping I could make this warm and comforting feeling last an eternity.

After Manami calmed down, we made our way downstairs to meet with her parents.

For some reason, I’m sitting next to her dad. Up close, the guy has some serious muscle tone that puts me to shame despite our heights being similar.

“And that’s about it.” Manami finished explaining the date. Ever since we left her room, she looked at me in a different manner. Her smile is soft, and her eyes seem grateful.

“Your mom told me about your little trip young lady.” Manami’s dad had his arms crossed, and his elbow stabbed the side of my arm whenever he moved. “I’m not sure I trust him with your safety.”

“I agree with your dad, Manami. I’m not sure you have the stamina to walk all the way to the top.”

“I’m going to carry her.”

“Huh?” Manami’s dad scoffs. “What makes you think you have the ability for that?”

“I already have good stamina, but I’ve been training with a friend. He and another friend will also be coming with us. Toro has climbed the mountain many times before. We’ll bring lots of food, water, and other supplies we need.”

Manami’s parents exchange glances. The commitment in my voice is obvious, but they’re still worried. What did have a chance to sway them was the hint of sadness on Manami’s face.

“Prove yourself.” Manami’s dad said.

“I’m sorry?”

“We’ll go buy a heavy bag of cement, and you’ll carry that to the mountain from the department store.”

“Dad, that’s like a two-hour walk!”

“Honey, I don’t think-”

“I’ll do it.” Her father and I stared at each other. Fire in both our eyes. “Give me the chance and I’ll prove myself.”

We stand, the two girls across from us sigh as they are helpless to stop the two boys in their battle.

Manami’s dad drove us to the department store. “I doubt you’ll make it. But I want to say thank you for all you’ve done for Manami… my precious little princess has finally started smiling again.” He teared up near the end of the sentence. “I hope you understand why I’m reluctant to allow this.”

“I do. But I’m going to win. So, I’ll make this promise now; I’ll take good care of your daughter because she means the world to me.”

He didn’t respond after that.

I don’t have Manami’s exact weight, but her dad bought a bag that was much heavier than her and tied it to my back. He also bought me some water bottles, mountain climbing clothes, and other items we may need on the climb.

He may as well have wished me good luck as well.

I started my walk. The GPS on my phone estimated that the walk was a little over two hours. With the sun glaring down on me, and my new set of clothes soaking in the heat, I make my way to the mountain.

The first half hour of the walk wasn’t a challenge. But as the roads became uneven, broken, and I was forced to walk uphill, my breathing became louder.

I took small sips of water as Toro suggested and continued my way. Manami’s dad also bought me a headband that kept the sweat away from my eyes. It was more helpful than I thought it would be, I never noticed how much I sweat before today.

After an hour passed, I was next to the park Toro and I trained at.

“Myo?!” Toro ran over to me as he was taking practice shots. “What are you doing?” He notices Manami’s dad creeping up in his car behind me. “I uh… think you got a stalker.”

“He’s just making sure I don’t die. I’m on my way to the mountain, see you later.”

“The mountain?” Toro asked but I was already a good distance from him. “Good luck!” He yelled.

Thanks to an active lifestyle, my body only groaned instead of yelling. But I must admit it’s difficult. There were moments where I failed to catch my breath or stumbled.

But as I stare at the foot of the mountain, I can’t help but smile at my achievement.

“Get in, I’ll drive us back!” Manami’s dad honked his horn at me.

I walk over to the car. “Could you tell Manami I fought off some lions on the way here as well?”

“Sure thing, come on.” He did his best to hide it, but he looked ecstatic.

Manami ran out of her house and hugged me, but she pushed me away after noticing how sweaty I was. “Ewww, but congratulations Myo. I never doubted you.”

“Thanks.”

Manami’s parents were talking beside their car. Although we made the wager, I’m sure they still have their reservations. After they’re done, Manami’s mom walks over to us.

“Go inside and bathe, we’ll talk after.”

I wasn’t used to Manami’s bathroom. Mine is just a standing shower. This one is much larger, with a bathtub and another area to clean yourself beforehand. Manami warmed the bath and now I enjoyed her kind gesture.

“You didn’t have to do that; I could have bugged them until they said yes.” Manami said from outside the door. She sat there and waited for me while I bathed.

“Hmmm, but I bet I look really cool right now, right?”

“You do. I… if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.”

There were a few. At the top of the list was having her join me in the bath, but then I’d be dead within the hour. “Keep looking at me with those pretty eyes, they motivate me.”

“Come on, something more.”

“Mmmm, some extra burger meat in my bento would be nice.”

“Hmph.” I see Manami’s shadow stand up. “You’ve gone and missed your chance to share a bath with a pretty girl.”

I jump out of the bath and yell. “Wait!”

After the bath, Manami’s mom sits me at their dinner table. There’s a bunch of medicine and notes spread out on top.

She went into detail with each medicine, the tells Manami’s body gave when something was wrong, and specifics on dealing with any issues.

“Promise right now that you’ll turn around if anything goes wrong.” There was still doubt in her eyes as she asked me to promise.

“I promise. No matter what, I’ll keep Manami safe.”

“…Fine then. I’ll allow it.”

“Thank you, mom and dad!” Manami ran into the kitchen and hugged her parents. They each held a hand and looked at their beautiful daughter sporting a big smile.

The look in their eyes was all too familiar. If they could make this moment last forever, they would.