Hiro's little smile became a bit wider as his father's car pulled away. He had seen. His father may have officially disapproved, may have made that wry comment, but Hiro knew his father perhaps better than anyone.
"I never should have read you those stories."
But you had, Father, Hiro thought. When Hiro was a small boy, unlike most Japanese fathers of his generation, Mr. Nakimora had made time for his little boy, reading to him and talking with him. They watched TV together, and he listened patiently to Hiro's long explanations of his latest crayon masterpiece. He had introduced his son to the concept of Destiny, of serving a need greater than oneself. Of protecting and advancing humanity, of faith and optimism and of heroism.
Whether it was tales of the samurai warrior hero uniting Japan, or the intrepid crew of a ship in deep space, the elder Nakimora had sown the seeds himself, and now Hiro was on a great heroic quest.
"What are you grinning about?" Ando asked.
"Everything is a-ok." Hiro announced cheerfully.
"Why?"
"Father owns that car." Hiro stated.
"So? What of it?" Ando asked, confused by the sudden subject change.
Kumiko may be more like Father, but Hiro understood him best. Father wouldn't falter now that the decision would be made, and Kumiko would do him proud in the ways that their culture most honored – success in business. But Father would also think on his son, and know that he'd raised a hero too. He'd raised two remarkable children, a brilliant daughter and a powerful son, and the Nakimora family could sustain that pride for generations. Hiro was sure of it.
"The plate," Hiro explained. At Ando's questioning expression, Hiro added, "The plate said 'NCC 1701'."
"What's that?"
"The Starship Enterprise." Hiro said. "Father loves the original Star Trek TV show."
Ando laughed in disbelief.
No, Hiro had no concerns about his family or his future. Father understood, and now that things had been arranged, Hiro knew that secretly, Father approved. Because though Kumiko was most like Father, Hiro knew father and son were not so different after all.
END