Once we had our dinner, Dad joined the guests, who could no longer hold themselves back from begging him for writing tips. After all, they chose this retreat mainly because the advertisement poster had Dad's name on it, a prolific and famous fantasy writer and manga artist with millions of followers around the world, and his wife was running the place. They wanted the opportunity to ask him for guidance on how to improve on their own written material.
Everyone, including me, sat around the living area with hot drinks in our hands while we listened to Dad telling us of his many trials and tribulations before finally reaching the road of success as a writer. Now and again, Mom's name would pop up, since she held a special place in his life, not only in being his wife, but as his number one fan and supporter as well. Every writer needs their number one fan and supporter, he'd emphasize, and his was Mom.
Apparently, they had met many years ago during a Comiket Convention in Tokyo when Mom had been an exchange student in Japan. Dad had been an unknown fantasy manga artist and writer at the time, selling his doujin, or self-published work, here and there and at the biannual convention to make some money. Mom had told me it was love at first sight when she first picked up Dad's manga and made eye contact with him. Once Dad, with his broken English, had asked her out, everything else was history, and they had been together ever since.
When Dad finally finished his tale of love and success, which I had heard several times, I finally brought up the subject that apparently still intrigued me to no end.
"Dad, what do you think about another realm? Does it really exist? If so, is it even possible for people from earth to be transported there? I'm asking because today I was reading an article about it in a magazine, about an elderly couple who visited a castle in Europe and got transported to another realm or something."
The moment that topic came up, the guests were captivated and avidly turned their undivided attention once again to Dad, eager to hear his thoughts on the subject.
Dad cocked his head to one side and then said, "Well, Alfie, one can't simply rule something out just because it seems impossible in reality and scientifically. For all we know, there might be another realm or dimension right here on Earth, with people living amongst us. Or there might be doors that can lead us to another world. Who knows? As for me... Well, I won't be ruling the possibility out." He chuckled. "Anything is possible, Alfie, if you put your imagination and creativity to it."
Mom said from the other side of the room, "He speaks just like a true fantasy author. His mind is always up in the clouds with ideas."
The guests laughed, and Dad winked at me.
One of the guests asked, "And what about you, Alfie? What do you think about the existence of this other realm?"
I shrugged, my cheeks turning hot in response because I was suddenly the center of the guests' attention.
I said, "Well, I think it'd be great if another realm really does exist. I mean, it'd be wonderful because we get to visit it, right? I'm sure it'd be completely different from Earth, where cultures, languages, and ways of living are concerned. I wouldn't mind visiting the realm and enjoying the place, especially the sights, the people, and the food."
Another guest said, "You sound like an adventurer, Alfie."
I laughed. "Maybe I do have this adventurous side in me. Wonder who I got it from..." I turned to Dad, who once again winked at me.
Despite the fact that the man seemed to be an introvert and indoor type, Dad actually had a very adventurous spirit. I remembered that by the time I had turned sixteen, we had been traveling all over the world, from Africa to Europe to Asia to the Middle East and even around all of North and some parts of South America. Mom had told me that it had been Dad's idea, as he wanted his little family to experience life to the fullest. And to be honest, I appreciated that, as I had enjoyed the time tremendously. Of course, I planned to do more traveling once I graduated from university.
It was about ten that night when the guests started to retire to their rooms, and I was about to set off as well when Dad said, "Alfie, I thought you might want to be the first to try out the bathhouse. It's done."
My eyes brightened suddenly.
When I had arrived two days ago, Dad had enthusiastically shown me the bathhouse, which was a charming little building that was separate from the main house and located to the north of the estate, nearer to the mountain. The reason Dad had been so excited was that this one could be converted into a hot spring, the type he was so fond of, which was popular in Japan. He had told me that he and a couple of guys had been working on it for over half a year now, to install some sort of mechanics that would turn the place into a hot pool like those in an onsen.
"Really? Today?" I asked, not able to hide my excitement. After all, I was fond of hot springs, too.
He nodded, grinning. "Why don't you try it out? I was just checking it and turning it on before dinner. It works like a charm."
"Then I'll be the first to take a dip," I said, giggling in delight. "Aren't I lucky?"
I gave Dad a peck on the cheek and then turned on my heel to leave.
As I was going up the stairs to get my things, Mom said, "Don't forget to take a flashlight. It's dark out there."
I replied over my shoulder, "Okay."