At some point, parenting leads you to realise that you can no longer claim to have main character energy.

My children are decidedly the main characters in my life. I find myself at Nishimatsuya, responding to life through their lens. It struck me how the same shop can yield different experiences at different points in a child’s life. Right now, Pokemon occupies prime space in their minds. I was bemused to watch them dart about the store, intentionally uncovering all treasures related to Pokemon. They then sprint the corridors, eager to get their mommy’s attention, desperate to let her know what they have found. I followed them around like leeches on a trekker’s leg, determined not to let them out of my sight. Otherwise, the wifey would be furious if anything bad were to happen to them There was neither space nor inclination for me to indulge in myself at the comprehensive children’s store.

I guess I’m lucky that I was engaged by my children. I had to give my daughter full marks for her strategic move. Earlier on, she held on to a Snorlax stuffed toy and cuddled it like she did all her other soft toys. Obviously, she and the Snorlax became inseparable. Guess who had to buy it for her so as not to trigger her ear-piercing screams if I had taken it away from her. My son wanted to buy a Pokemon stuffed toy too, but because he already owns a mountain of soft toys, I chose to fulfill his other want: some drinks vending machine toy. I have no idea why, but he has recently shown an interest in vending machine toys as well.

Recording this down because I think Nishimatsuya will yield a different experience for them next year. Kids grow up so fast, be it their physical appearance or mental outlook. Ngl, I catch myself suppressing a pang of loneliness when I think about how transient this moment is.