Since I got married, I have been doing freelance work as a farmer, so I have gotten into the habit of taking my children to work. Of course, the children stay at home when we need to use a tractor or when it's tea harvesting season, but I continue to take my children to work as secretaries whenever possible, in response to my wife's requests. Now that my eldest son and daughter have graduated, my second son, Sojiro, the third generation, is working as my secretary.

Like all my secretaries, my third-generation secretary is basically selfish. While munching on the snacks and meals my wife has prepared for me, I enjoy watching the cars through the window while we're in the car. It's fun to watch him gradually learn more words as we ride in the car. He shows me the new words he's learned. He listens to the podcasts and music I listen to together and sometimes takes a nap. We listen to Nulbarich songs together, so when "TOKYO" or "NEW ERA" comes on, he sings along with me, which is adorable. When he says "I've had a poop," I immediately get into focus. I wonder how many diapers I've changed so far lol Still, it's strange how my heart warms when he's with me.

When I take Sojiro to the workplace, everyone becomes calm. Perhaps it's because of his natural cheerfulness, but everyone talks to him and he tries to work hard with them. Sojiro grew up clinging to Saki-chan, a university student who comes to work at the workplace.

I once saw a movie called Like Father, Like Son, starring Lily Franky and Masaharu Fukuyama, and one line that Lily Franky said has stuck in my mind.

I don't remember the details, but it's also true that for someone like me who didn't have much money, the only thing I could do to enrich my children's lives was spend time with them. Still, I think that our father-son relationship, where we're always together, has made my life that much richer.

In the American TV drama "This is Us," which I love, there was a scene in which one of the main characters, Toby, was struggling with his father-son relationship. I started watching this drama around the time I started raising my children, and it taught me a lot about parenting.

My long hair and beard style is a secret homage to the protagonist's father, Jack. Thanks to spending quality time with my three children before they started school, my father-son relationship is good for now. Unfortunately, I didn't become the great adult they expected me to be. But I want to pass on to my children the attitude of looking forward and taking one step at a time with a rich heart. It would be great if they wondered what I would have done if I were them when they are lost in life.

I have learned a lot from watching my children grow up. My fourth child was born last September. I am happy that I can now raise my child for a longer period of time.