### Hiro | World Bike Traveler | Twitter, Instagram, TikTok | LinktreeView hirotheworld’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like YouTube, Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!
Hello, I’m Hiro, the World Bike Traveler. In this post, I’d like to share some of my life experiences and turning points. This time, I will look back on my journey from kindergarten to high school graduation.
Kindergarten Days: Facing “Death”
My earliest memory is the death of my pet medaka fish. Every morning, I would rush to check on them, but one day, they were gone. Heartbroken, I buried the tiny body in the garden.
Soon after, I was watching Yu-Gi-Oh! and saw the card “Monster Reborn.” Inspired, I began drawing medaka over and over—sometimes more than 200 a day—while whispering, “Come back to life.” Looking back, it must have seemed like some strange ritual to my kindergarten teacher.
Of course, the fish never returned. That was my first encounter with the truth: when something dies, it does not come back. I realized this applied to humans, too, and the thought frightened me. My parents were only in their thirties then, so I told myself they would be safe for at least 25 more years. Still, the shadow of death felt very close.
Embracing Life: Do What You Love
As children, death is only an idea, but as we grow older, it becomes real—bringing sadness and fear. Through that fear, I came to accept death. From that moment, I made a vow: before my time comes, I will do everything I truly want to do.
Elementary School: Discovering “Love”
In elementary school, I was a quiet observer, uncertain of what I really liked. I tried different things—BLEACH games, tag, whatever my friends enjoyed. They were fun, but not something I loved.
Then I discovered soccer. I joined a local team with friends and felt the joy of chasing goals together. The teamwork, the challenge, the small victories—it was the first time I thought, This might be something I truly love.
Gratitude for a “Fake” Title
A big turning point came in fourth or fifth grade, when I met a gentle and kind soccer coach. During a tournament, our team won, and he gave me the MVP ball. I was stunned—I wasn’t the best player at all.
Later, I learned the truth: he chose me not because I was the strongest, but because he saw my improvement and wanted me to keep loving soccer. That small act freed me from my doubts. From then on, I wanted to grow into someone who could truly deserve recognition.
Middle School: A Decision in an Uncertain World
When I entered middle school, tragedy struck—my beloved soccer coach passed away. Unlike the medaka that had lived a full three years, he died suddenly in his 40s or 50s.
His death forced me to confront life’s uncertainty. It was a painful reminder that life can end at any time. That awareness pushed me again toward my vow: immerse yourself in what you love before it’s too late.
High School: Gratitude and Farewell
High school brought another big choice—whether to keep playing soccer. I joined the team, but my heart wasn’t fully in it. After an injury, I quit. My teammates cried for me, and I felt deeply grateful for their support.
Leaving soccer felt like erasing ten years of effort. I turned to academics next, aiming to excel. Studying was interesting, but it didn’t ignite my passion.
Those years were filled with friendship and gratitude, but also the struggle of unfinished dreams and the search for what I truly loved. As graduation approached, I promised myself one thing: when I stepped into the wider world of university, I would keep searching until I found it.
### Hiro | World Bike Traveler | Twitter, Instagram, TikTok | LinktreeView hirotheworld’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like YouTube, Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!