“He’s done it again, that’s Hiroto for you!” It’s difficult to hear the commentators through the roar of the crowd, although a certain girl’s voice is louder than everyone’s, even through the speakers of a T.V.
“Mr. Myo.” A critter pulls at my leg.
“Yes?” She puts her hands up, who am I to deny her request. “Up we go!” I pick her up and swing her though the air while she fills the room with laughter.
“I like your seashell necklace.” She said after noticing it hanging around my neck.
“Thank you.”
“Myo!”
“Hmm? Mom!” As soon as the young critter’s feet hit the ground, my mom bear hugged me. It’s been almost a year since we’ve seen each other. “How’s work?” She looked wonderful in her pink scrubs.
“Difficult, but I’ve been here too long to complain now. Pablo can see you now.” She gives me one last hug before rushing into a patient’s room.
As I walk up the stairs, I notice the walls have been repainted and a lot of the building remodeled. But the best difference was the added staff which is over double what they had when I volunteered here.
I knock on Pablo’s door. “Come in!”
“Yo, Pablo.” I say as I walk in. “This where you take naps now?”
“Myo!” Pablo stands and gives me a hug that puts my mom’s to shame. “I’m sorry, you should have said it was you.”
“Come on, I don’t want special treatment.” We sit on the couches in his office. Pablo was promoted to Hospital manager a few years ago. He still worked himself to the bone, but he looked better than ever now.
“You’ll always get special treatment here.” Behind Pablo was a board filled with pictures of children who stayed here over the years. Pablo remembered them all. “You have no idea how much Manami’s foundation has done for us. Not just treatments and medicine, but staff and funding. I know she’d love what you’ve done.” He gives me a sincere smile.
“Thank you, Pablo, I’m just glad everything is going well.”
“Of course. How about you, time for your visit?”
“Yea, I’m heading there right after. I just wanted to say hello.”
“You’re always welcome here, the kids still love you even though you’re an adult now.”
“That surprises me too! Maybe you should hire me.” I give him a smirk.
“Unfortunately, your mom has taken the position as the most beloved already. And I don’t think Hiroto would be happy to lose his manager.”
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“You may be right. I’ll visit more often.”
“Anytime, our doors are always open to you.” Pablo and I shook hands.
After a tearful goodbye with my mom, I headed out to the car waiting for me. “Right this way sir.” The driver opens the back door for me.
“Took you long enough.” A woman with long purple hair, orange eyes, and a luxurious dress that kisses her body waits for me inside. “Oh, look.” She points to a sign outside the hospital thanking the Manami Foundation.
Manami’s foundation was founded by Toro, Catalina, Diana, and me. We found it to provide funding for the children’s hospital but raise enough for the hospitals around the entire country.
Toro is a superstar basketball player now, his confidence still needs work, but he has me to back him up whenever he needs his bodyguard. Manager? Sidekick? My position was never established, but the guy said he wanted to repay me for all I’ve done when he went pro. Jeez, some ramen would have been enough.
Catalina’s a famous designer. Having an incredibly handsome man who travels the world and makes speeches on stage sure helps promote the stuff. Oh, Toro and Diana wear it too. I will admit, her popularity came from being seen in the front row of Toro’s games. Social media buzzed with stories of, “Who’s this gorgeous woman and what brand are her clothes?!” At first, Catalina made clothes for herself, but she took the opportunity and succeeded.
“Ms. Diana, please remember you have a photoshoot tomorrow.” The driver said as we took off.
“Thanks Roberto.” Darling of Keone Island, Diana, retired from the idol life after a very successful six years. I heard there were protests and mass gatherings outside her company begging the group to stay together. Now, she’s a popular model who mostly works with a certain popular designer. Nia, I think, is her name. “Do you think she’ll like these?”
Diana shows me a large bouquet she somehow hid underneath her dress.
“They’re great, thank you. You didn’t have to come by the way, I know you’re busy.”
“I need to pay respects to the girl who saved you, I’m forever grateful to her.”
“I see, thank you.”
Diana smiled. “Are you going back to Toro after today?”
“I have the week off, thought maybe we could spend some time together.” I was looking out the car window, but I did hear an excited shift next to me.
Our destination is the island’s graveyard. Diana and I arrive at Manami’s tombstone. After placing the flowers, Diana says her prayers and leaves.
“Oh man.” A tear falls from my eye. “I’m sorry, I promised I wouldn’t cry every time. Um, I wrote a letter this time.” I pulled out the letter filled with my notes. It was a list of topics I wanted to tell her about, I’m sure she’d know if I just repeated something.
“Let’s see. Everyone’s doing great, Toro, Catalina, Diana. Mom is happier than ever at the hospital. I’m sure your family came earlier today; I’ll have to say hi later. Me… I’m sorry. Manami, I miss you.” I fold the paper and put it in my pocket. “I won’t lie, I was sad for a while, but everyone helped me through it. Like you said, it’s ok to hurt, and the pain of losing someone you love never goes away. But I don’t want it to, because that means forgetting every moment that I was lucky enough to be with you. I never want to forget that, and now the world remembers you too because of Manami’s foundation. Maybe I’ll tell you about it when I visit again later. I haven’t kept my other promise yet, but I’m making progress. A certain island girl who’s been a good friend to me confessed some time ago. It’s silly to think I never realized.”
I placed the white roses I brought for Manami alongside Diana’s bouquet. I didn’t stand right away, I wanted to be still and let the emotions flow. Sadness, acceptance, happiness. With each memory of Manami that flashed through my mind, I couldn’t help but smile through my tears.
“Thank you for everything Manami. I hope you know that you saved me and helped me become the best person I can be. I’m doing well and will continue to live a wonderful life like I promised. Until I visit again, I’ll continue to move forward, holding all our memories in my heart, and I’ll bring back many stories for you. Manami… I love you.”
~Thank you for reading - E.F. Veda