The Dreamers
Christmas Eve

The season has changed. Miscarriage leaves have flown swept by the wind. Every day, the temperature is getting lower. The air was cold and snowflakes started to fall.

It has now been a month since Hiro returned from Akihabara to his hometown of Sapporo. December is the month that Hiro is looking forward to. He wants to be with those closest to him this Christmas.

...

🌃🌃🌃

Tonight is December 25th. Hiro, Ryota, Saki, and Hanabi are also seen, friends of Akrab Saki, as well as friends during their college.

Celebrating Christmas Eve in Ryota's spacious home, they are seen enjoying their youth by playing exciting games, making giant snow dolls in the yard, and exchanging gifts.

All of them also send messages and hopes to each other so that they can achieve goals in life.

"May all friends get their wish for next year" Hiro said.

...

...

It wasn't until two hours that Hiro got together with his friends. At approximately 21:30, Hiro became the first person to end Christmas celebrations at Ryota's house tonight.

Hiro decided to celebrate Christmas at his home with his father. "Temen-temen, sorry, I'll go home first. My family wants to celebrate Christmas with me, too,"

Hiro's friends did not prohibit Hiro's actions, instead allowing him to return to his home. "You don't need permission, your family will want to celebrate Christmas with you, too" Ryota said.

"Yes, if you want to go home, don't papa really," said one of the friends.

...

"Thank you, yeah,"

"No problem" said Hiro's friends.

...

Just as Hiro was about to walk out of Ryota's door, Saki suddenly came to him and held Hiro's hand. "Can I come with you?" Ask.

"Huh? Come with me?"

"Yes, I want to feel Christmas Eve with you and your father.., it seems fun." Saki. His face hoped that Hiro could accept his request.

"I also want to say goodbye to your father. We're going to Europe on the 27th, aren't we?"

"Eee.yeah right the 27th as we discussed yesterday. But sorry Saki.., but I can't take you to my house tonight" Hiro refused.

Saki's surprised. "Why?"

Hiro sighed. "You know, it's been a long time since I was able to celebrate Christmas with my father at home. Since I was in college, I've had a hard time coming home especially when last year I started being a professional footballer" Hiro explained.

"Oh, I see," Saki immediately understood. Hiro just wants time alone, apart from his friends.

"Yes, I want to make the most of my time. I know my father is old. I don't want to lose precious moments like this with him."

Saki nodded.

"Once again, sorry, you can't come with me this time" Hiro said. "Maybe next time you can come, hehe," Hiro smiled.

"Alright then, be careful on the road yes," Saki said.

"Yes, don't worry about me,"

Hiro stroked the hair of Saki who was standing in front of him. "Yes, I'm home first yeah,"

Hiro's eyes turned toward his friends who were sitting gathered in the middle of Ryota's living room. Hiro waved at them.

"Thank you for coming here, yeah!" Ryota. The other friends also waved to Hiro.

"Yes! next year we will meet again! Haha." Sahut Hiro's.

"For sure!" Friends Sahut.

...

Hiro walked out the door, over the fence. His eyes were still glancing towards the inside of Ryota's house which looked still festive. Hiro has to go home.

Outside the large walls of Ryota's house, the snow fell so heavily. Hiro's breath turned into steam. Highlight the streetlight illuminated Hiro's step home.

"It's cold..," murmured Hiro. Hiro hastened his steps towards home.

...

At home, my father was waiting. "I'm home..,"

Hiro's father smiled to see his son coming from behind the door. "Good Christmas Hiro" Hiro's father said.

His father, who was wearing a blue sweater, was sitting next to the dinner table. There is a roasted chicken, as well as two glasses of freshly mashed warm ginger, and accompanied by makeshift lamps. Although simple, all this is more than enough to celebrate Christmas with his father at home.

"Merry christmas, too, Dad,"

Hiro was sitting next to his father who was ready to eat a meal at the table.

As always, before eating a meal, they will pray and hope that next year will be better than now.

...

...

Empty glasses leave the rest of the mashed ginger. The chicken bones were left on the plates of Hiro and his father. Stomach full and now it's time to sleep.

But before feeling the soft mattress, Hiro first get questions from his father about his career.

Still at the dinner table, Hiro listens as his father asks where is Hiro after this?

Hiro placed the dirty dishes in the sink and sat down next to his father. Hiro folded his hands on the table and replied, "I'm going to Europe,"

Hiro's Father's face immediately beamed. "Did? really, Son?"

Hiro nodded.

"Wow! where are you going to play? The british? Italy? or Spanish?"

"Wooww.wow.wooww, hehe, that level is too big Dad. I'm going to take a look first at the Netherlands and Bulgaria with Saki" Hiro said.

"Well, when did you and Saki leave?" Ask Hiro's Dad.

"We're leaving tomorrow the day after tomorrow, the 27th,"

"Why are you two going?"

"Because I all want to do a joint survey with Saki on the environment and the place to live."

"Where to stay?"

"Yes Dad, the plan is for me to stay in Europe for a while as long as his career continues there" Hiro explained. "Hopefully Saki will also accompany me to stay there after she finishes her education,"

"Oh, I see.." Hiro's father's face suddenly changed.

"Hmm? why, Dad?"

"Eerr, it's okay,"

"Oh yes, you can come with me to Europe! we'll stay there! hows it? There are also many specialists,"

"NO! NO!" Said Hiro's father in a high tone.

Hiro. "Why, Dad?"

"Father is not strong cold, hehe,"

Hiro breathed a sigh of relief. "Huhu...I guess what's up,"

"Yes, son, I don't have cold air. That's why every winter, you never leave the house" said Hiro's father.

"So, are you sure you're not coming with me?"

"Yes son. Father's condition is also too risky if the trip is far using public transportation," replied Hiro's father. "You'd better stay here while you're getting the treatment you're supposed to."

Hiro closed his eyes for a moment. "But.. I don't want to leave Dad alone-,"

"But I don't want you to leave your dreams!" Hiro's father cut the speech firmly.

Hiro.

"Dad'd rather see Dad's son come back to the field to play ball again than have to stay here and leave what you're supposed to do!" Hiro's father was excited.

"This was your wish since childhood, right! Why would you sell drinks at a roadside shop?! What did you win the tournament for? Why are you fighting so hard at the Academy? if it will eventually be abandoned?!!"

"Dad..," Hiro was moved by his father's conviction.

The father held onto Hiro's hand as he said, "Come on, Son, keep playing ball, I'm sure of your abilities..,"

"For sure, Dad..! I'll keep playing ball!"