The little family Sae had with you was something he treasured more than any game he’d won.

Your son, Ryo, was turning one soon. He had traces of both of you— Sae’s eyes and part of your personality. Settling down had been a sudden change, and yet he loved every second of it, of being with you both.

Now he held Ryo in his lap, coaxing him to sound out words.

“Soccer, Ryo. It’s not hard to say. Soc-cer.” He had a small, unmistakably fond smile on his face as he stared at his son.