The life of running with all one's heart, taught to me by my daughter.

I never thought it would be a part of my life for so long.
Soccer, which was supposed to be just a hobby, became the axis of my daughter's life before I knew it, and it even moved my own life in a big way.

It was my daughter who played soccer.
But it was I who had my life expanded by it.

By the time I could think that way,
I realized that many years had passed.

My daughter started soccer when she was about three years old.
I let her choose between tennis and soccer—

My daughter was shy,
so I thought she would surely choose tennis.

But the one my daughter pointed to without hesitation was soccer.

A school full of boys.
Even so, the coach was someone who praised children surprisingly well.

Praising, praising, and praising them to the skies.

That's why the school was always very popular.
All the children had proud looks on their faces.

When she entered elementary school,
she was invited by a mom friend from daycare to join a team.

But at first, my daughter—

was touching the sand instead of the ball.

Even so, the coach said nothing,
and just waited quietly.

Two months later.
My daughter was kicking the ball while laughing.

That scene still hasn't faded in my mind.

A team with only boys.

She must have had many frustrating experiences.
Even so, my daughter continued for six years.

She attended multiple schools and went to cram school as well.
She was so stoic that you wouldn't think she was an elementary school student.

Before I knew it, at school,
she had become a bit of a celebrity.

"Who is that girl?"
"Isn't she good?"
"Damn it! I couldn't get it again!"

There were times when I heard voices like that.

Perhaps—
she might become a soccer player.

There were times I seriously thought so.

But, I would soon find out.

There is always someone better.

That was the world of sports.

When she was in elementary school, she also joined a girls' team.

A team that couldn't really win.
Even so—there was one match they won, just once.

A corner kick.

My daughter dove into the ball that floated up.

A header goal.

A goal.

In that moment,
parents and children alike, everyone was crying.

Just one win.

But, it was an unforgettable win.

When she entered junior high, my daughter was 140cm tall.
By the time she graduated, she had reached 160cm.

That small, cute daughter of mine
was no longer there.

She attended a club team while preparing for middle school entrance exams,
balancing it with school life in Tokyo.

It was by no means smooth sailing.

Even so, she won the final futsal tournament.

We all cried together.

I felt like I had seen the moment when hard work pays off
right before my eyes for the first time.

For high school, she didn't advance internally, but took external entrance exams.

There was only one reason.

To keep playing soccer.

Disagreements with teammates.
Frustrations within the team.
Conflicts with the coach.

Her soccer notebook was filled with regrets.

Yet, it seems the coach kept telling her,

"Become the pillar of the team."
"Be more ambitious."

I believe my daughter finally understood the meaning of those words
in the end.

A league in a fiercely competitive area.

Always 3rd or 4th place.

And then came the final league match of her third year.

Victory.

The one who scored the winning goal was—
my daughter, wearing the ace number.

They also earned the right to challenge for the upper league.
And they succeeded in joining it.

This was all while she was taking university entrance exams.




The end-of-season party was full of tears.

My daughter's final speech was,
"I'm sorry for being such an unreliable ace."
"I was blessed with such wonderful teammates, and it was a happy soccer life."
"I've passed the baton on!"

From her juniors came,
"That's not true! What are we supposed to do when you're gone... *sob*"
"I still want to play with you... *sob*"
"Please come watch our games! You have to!"

Those were the voices raised.

It was a storm of respect.

Ah, she really gave it her all.

That is what I thought.

I heard the coach said this before the game.

"Everything started with N (my daughter's name).
It's not a coincidence. It's destiny.
So we are going to win this league!"

I was told this
by her juniors.

My heart was full.

For finding my daughter,
for raising her,
and for believing in her—

I have nothing but gratitude.

Now that she is a university student, my daughter
is heading toward a new dream, different from soccer.

I will no longer
go to cheer at her games like I used to.

I won't be heading to the field every weekend, nor will I be calling out her name until my voice goes hoarse.

I feel a little lonely.

But—

my daughter's life will continue from here on.

What she chases next will no longer be a soccer ball. It is a new dream she chose herself.

I am sure I will continue to support her just as I always have.

Not from outside the goal, but from outside the long field that is life.

Because my daughter continued to play soccer, I was able to live such a rich time.
I finally understand the meaning of that now.


She showed me so many scenes.
She let me meet so many people.

I have nothing but gratitude for my daughter.

And now, I truly believe.

If a child can find something they can be serious about,
it becomes a treasure in life for the parent as well.

It's not about winning or losing.
It's not just about the results.

The time spent running with all one's heart
will surely become a power that supports that child's life.

And surely—
it will enrich the parent's life as well.

Thank you for every moment.