[Short-Short] Ex-Boyfriend Collection Day / Creative Awards 2026 / All Categories Division / Entry

*Ultra-short story: 3-minute read

"Ex-Boyfriend Collection Day"

At the trash collection point in front of the station, there is a
"love trash"collection day once a month.

Photos.
Matching rings.
Matching mugs.
A mysteriously huge shark plushie.

Heartbroken people can dispose of
【anything】 related to their "ex-partner" on this day.

That morning, I was stuffing my ex-boyfriend's clothes into a trash bag.

He, whom I dated for three years, disappeared two weeks ago with a junior colleague from work.

..."I've found someone I like."
With that cliché line as his last, my messages on LINE aren't even being read anymore.
So today, I'm
throwing it all away. Memories and all.

When I headed to the station at exactly 9 o'clock, clutching the trash bag,
a line had already formed.

A woman who looked like an office worker. A middle-aged man in a suit.
For some reason, an old woman in pajamas.
Everyone was holding their bags as if they were precious.

Those who finished disposing of their items were all leaving
with somewhat relieved expressions.

"Next person, please."

The middle-aged collector wearing an orange vest said with a business-like face.
I handed over the trash bag.

"Please check the contents."

"...T-shirts, hoodies, photos, and also..."

"And?"

"Three years' worth of memories."

The man didn't move a muscle as he ran his ballpoint pen across the slip.

"Love trash: Clothing and a set of sentimental items"

I stamped the form and said,
“Collection complete. Thank you for your hard work.”

And that was it. It was easy.

Just as I was about to head home feeling refreshed, someone called out to me from behind.

…“Huh? Could it be?”…

I turned around and my ex-boyfriend was standing there, holding a bag.

“...What are you doing here?”

“I came to throw something away, too.”

“...Throw what away?”

He paused for a moment, then spoke as if in a panic.

“I broke up with my junior. Or rather, she dumped me.”
“I’m sorry about back then.”
“It was just a momentary lapse in judgment.”
“Can’t we get back together?”
“I realized I still love you after all.”
“You still have feelings for me too, right?”
(...Blah, blah, chatter, chatter)

...Silence.

The wind blows.
Somewhere, a pigeon coos.

Something sparked inside me.

I turned back to the collection worker.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

"Can I add one more?"

"Go ahead."

I forcibly grabbed my ex-boyfriend and made him
stand in line with the trash bags.

"W-wait, hold on."

"Please check the contents."

"Thisis it. Please take it as is."

The middle-aged man scratched his head annoyedly
and scribbled with his ballpoint pen.

"Romance Trash: Ex-boyfriend (main unit) and a full set of excuses"

I gently pressed my stamp once more.

"Collection complete. Thank you for your hard work."

On the way home, my heart felt light.
The spring sky was incredibly vast.

The End