Hero's Mark~2023 Ehime Essay Contest Love Face Impressive Story Award-winning Work~

"Hey dad. My friend's hands don't have this kind of red color."

On the way home from nursery school, my 4-year-old second son muttered weakly behind me as I rode my bicycle.

He was born with a large birthmark on the back of his left hand. I didn't think it was okay to have individuality, but my worrisome wife consulted a dermatologist.The doctor said, "It's not particularly bad. It's a common birthmark, so it won't disappear, but it may become less noticeable with age."    
I finally understood the meaning of my wife's concern.

When I asked, "Did your friend tell you something?", the second son didn't answer.I said, "It's the only birthmark in the world, and I think it's cool.It seems that the doctor said that the color might fade when you grow up."
“Hmm, I see,”The second son answered with an unexplainable expression.
When I went home and told my wife about it, she replied with a worried look, "I see."

One day at dinner, my second son said the same topic.Then the 11-year-old son who was sitting next to him said,

"Well, that birthmark is a sign of hero's mark. The hero of one of my favorite games has a similar birthmark on his left hand, and it glows when he's in a pinch. Then he becomes super strong and saves everyone."

Looking at his older brother who was really envious, the second son smiled like a sunflower.

As he got older and his hands got bigger, the  birthmark on his left hand became less noticeable.Sometimes he looked at the back of his hand and said,

"I wish the hero's birthmark never disappeared"

It was me and my wife who looked at each other and became love face each time.