I'm a Third Grader Now: The Reason a Boy Who Was Always with His Mom Rode the Train Alone

No. 98 The Story Introduced This Time

Here, we feature stories that have become topics of conversation online or in the news as "heartwarming stories that bring tears to your eyes," along with videos uploaded to platforms like YouTube.

The story introduced this time is a post by a man who wrote about a boy who was a "mama's boy" he met at JR Okubo Station in Hyogo Prefecture.
*The time of the post could not be confirmed.

There was a YouTube video based on this story, so I will introduce it as well.

Post Content

I used to commute from JR Okubo Station (Hyogo Prefecture), but there was a period when I only needed to arrive in Maiko by 10:00 AM two days a week.

I could take it easy in the morning, and the trains were empty and comfortable.

There was a bench right after going down the stairs to the platform, and as I was drinking a canned coffee with my briefcase placed on it,

"Mom! You can sit here! Sit down!"

said a boy who looked like an elementary school student. Realizing my mistake, I moved my bag from the bench.

"See, there's room for both of us to sit."

I made eye contact with his mother, and I gave a slight bow, feeling awkward for having placed my bag where they could sit.

"Mister! This is a place to sit! You shouldn't put your things here!"
"Sorry about that, kid. You're a good boy."
"I'm a third grader now!"
(Hey, you've got a runny nose.)

The parent and child got off at Akashi Station, the second stop from there.

They seemed to have a good relationship, and I thought it was really nice.

After that, I ran into this parent and child several times.

"Mister, you've got a big bag again... work must be tough!"
(Talking to me like an equal... (￣―￣))

Each time, I started talking to this child,

"Mom, Mom,"

he would say, and I found him to be quite cute.

However, for a while, I didn't see this parent and child, and by the time I stopped having to go to work so late, they were gone.

It was a Sunday when I had to work, and as I was waiting for the train on the platform around noon, I saw that same child with his father.

Are you going out with your dad today?
Yeah! I'm going to see my mom now. (Huh? Are his parents separated?)
My mom was in the hospital, but she's coming home today.

I see... so the reason he was so concerned about his mother was because he was accompanying her to the hospital. He's a good kid.

You work hard too, mister! (Still using that casual tone... (￣ω￣))

About half a year later, when the area in front of the station was decked out for Christmas, I met the child again.

Are you alone today? Is your mom doing well?
My mom passed away...

I was such a pathetic adult; I couldn't say anything, and we just boarded the same train.

So she had such a serious illness...

That's why he was so worried about her, always talking about his mom, his mom...

He must have been through so much sadness over the past six months.

As I thought about that, I started to tear up while looking out the train window.

As my station approached,

Where are you going? Are you okay by yourself?
I'm fine!
I'm a third grader now! (This time, it was me who ended up with a runny nose.)

YouTube

There was a video made based on this story, so I will introduce a part of it.
*It seems there are other videos besides the ones introduced here.

(2ch) Laughing, Crying, and Heartwarming 'LAN' (Channel)

*Short version

Nikorun (Channel)

Moving Stories (Channel)

In closing

My note articles are not intended for commercial purposes.
I am simply writing this because I want to share a story that brought me to tears with all of you.

However, if there are any issues regarding copyright or similar matters, please let me know and I will remove the content.

Additionally, the images posted were provided by Irasutoya and Minchirie.

Thank you for taking your time to read until the end.