⚪️Short Story | Mikando Bookstore Episode 3
Episode 2 continued from
It took me several days to finally register the newly arrived books that had been stacked flat into the database.
Next, I had to put these books away in their "proper" places.
***
I casually picked up the book on top.
"The Complete Works of Fuyue Anzai, Volume 4, Unfinished Poems 2"
Since it's Volume 4, there must be volumes one through three. A data search confirmed we have those in stock as well. If possible, I'd like to shelve them together.
One more book.
"The Complete Poems of Fuyue Anzai"
I pulled the book out of its box and checked the colophon: Shichosha, 1966, first edition, 2500 yen.
Because of its pristine condition, I had assumed it was a new book, but perhaps it is an antiquarian book.
As I flipped through the pages, my eyes stopped on one poem, and my thoughts were pinned there.
Longing
An escape from a difficult fortress reinforced with mud, carrying crude Afghan salt packed in both Chinese and English paper.
Il Cazzaro
You must read intensely from the lateral pressure of the adobe bricks of the undulating fortress walls, the despair of reaching the journey of longing for the blue ocean that constantly sprays mist.
I don't know why. I just felt an intense urge to write.
***
"Butterfly," Mikan-san whispered in my ear.
I jumped in surprise.
"Do you like it?"
"Oh, this?"
"It's for sale, you know?"
"Um, oh, I'll buy it."
"I can give it to you if you'd like."
"No, if it's 2500 yen..."
"That was the price back then. You might not be able to afford it on your salary now."
"Eh, oh, what?"
"A welcome gift for joining the company."
"Don't forget your promise, okay?"
***
The cherry blossoms in the vase scattered softly.
***
I read somewhere before that there are diverse expressions in Japanese to describe the end of a flower.
Cherry blossoms "scatter" (chiru).
Plum blossoms "spill" (koboreru).
Camellias "fall" (ochiru).
Chrysanthemums "dance" (mau).
Morning glories "wither" (shibomu).
Peonies "collapse" (kuzureru).
Hydrangeas "droop" (shioreru).
I suddenly wondered about Mikan. There is something about Mikan-san's lively cheerfulness that seems to hide a somewhat ephemeral beauty.
Thinking it was disrespectful to imagine her end, I put the word "unravel" (hodokeru) to Mikan.
Mikan-san looked at me and tilted her head curiously.
It was then that I realized for the first time that I had been staring at her, and I hurriedly looked away.
***
Somehow, I can't seem to get any work done today.
(Continued in Episode 4)
*The header image is a work by @Hane-san.
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