Music really is fun, isn’t it, Uncle Panda?

  I finished the song.

  Now it’s your turn.

  Don’t worry if you make mistakes—I just want you to enjoy playing it.

  And… I’d love to hear your kind, gentle sound.

  Dear Mr. Bamboo Flute Panda,

  I’ve decided on the name of the piece:

  “The Moonlit Boat.”

  As for the composer’s name, please use “Star Panda.”

  Also, I think I’ll take a little break from writing music.

  I already have an idea for the next piece, though—I'm just thinking about what kind of song it should be.

  Don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple enough for you to play.

  After I sent the message, I suddenly felt really tired.

  Maybe I overdid it again.

  Lately, I haven’t been able to finish my meals.

  Even if I feel hungry, eating just a little makes me feel sick.

  The nurses told me not to push myself, and just eat what I like.

  Dad brought me my favorite chocolate, but even that… doesn’t sound good anymore.

  Dear HARUKA,

  The video is ready.

  If it looks good to you, I’ll upload it online.

  I hope it turned out okay. Let me know what you think.

  What… is this?

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  It’s strange… but cute. And funny.

  A navy-and-white panda with a big star on her belly.

  She’s wearing a ribbon, so I guess she’s a girl.

  I think her name must be Star Panda.

  She’s sitting on a bench with Uncle Panda, staring out at a moonlit sea.

  You hear the sound of waves… and then my song begins.

  You practiced so hard, didn’t you, Uncle?

  The bamboo flute sounds so soft, so gentle.

  The animation shows you two sitting on the bench.

  Star Panda glances at you, sways to the music, smiling.

  During the interlude, a ship appears in the distance.

  The scene changes: a quiet sea-road glowing with moonlight.

  The ship sails across it.

  We look down from above and see passengers waving—dressed in traditional clothes from all over the world.

  The piano plays like ripples on the water.

  The ship floats gently across the quiet sea of night.

  Then the scene shifts again—Star Panda is rowing a little boat.

  Slowly, the boat is lifted onto a big cruise ship.

  And Star Panda sets off on a new journey.

  Across the silent, moonlit sea.

  In the final scene, the ship sails into the moonlight—getting smaller and smaller, until it disappears.

  Mom watched the video, half-crying, half-laughing.

  She said she was moved by the music, and also that the panda was just… so adorably weird.

  Dad smiled quietly.

  “Do you think he designed that panda to look like you, Haruka?

  The way she moves, the way she sits beside him…

  Watching it made me happy.”

  “I kind of wished… I was Star Panda,” I said.

  I don’t know why, but tears started to fall.

  I should be happy. My song is finished.

  But the truth is… I really wanted to play it together with Uncle Panda.

  I know I can’t, of course.

  That’s why Star Panda is there.

  She’s playing with him in my place.

  In my place.

  There are things I’ll never be able to do again.

  Dad and Mom kept watching the video.

  Every time they saw the ending… they cried.

  They said it was “moving.”

  So that’s what that word really means—

  To move someone’s heart.

  I want this music to reach more people.

  I want Haruka’s song to make others feel something, too.

  Dear Mr. Bamboo Flute Panda,

  Thank you so much for the video.

  Star Panda was so cute—I loved her.

  But your part was really short, huh?

  Who made the animation? I’d love to know.

  Also, your flute playing surprised me. You got really good!

  Dear HARUKA,

  I’m so happy you liked it.

  It felt different this time—knowing someone was waiting for my music.

  So yes, I practiced. A lot.

  When we filmed it, I kept praying, “Please don’t mess up, please don’t mess up.”

  The animation and illustrations were made at a workplace for people with disabilities.

  They create videos and digital content.

  I asked them for help, and they were so excited.

  Actually, the illustrator who drew Star Panda is a woman in a wheelchair.

  She used a computer to draw your panda—

  imagining what a cute girl named HARUKA might look like.

  Everyone listened to your music.

  They imagined, designed, and brought your story to life.

  They all said, “Thank you for giving us this job.”

  I don’t know why…

  but hearing that made me so happy.

  People listened to my song, and it made them feel something.

  It made them want to help.

  Until now, I just wanted to make “cool” music that I liked.

  But this… this was different.

  I wrote something for someone else.

  And that made it kind.

  Maybe kindness travels through music.

  Maybe it reaches people… like this.

  I hope it makes someone feel a little softer inside.