A Wonderful Solitude
Yesterday, there was a line, and I couldn't make it in time for the last order,
so I wasn't able to eat at the shaved ice shop.
Today, I decided to try going again.
In front of the shop, there were two pairs of people.
Unlike yesterday, I felt I could wait this time.
Since I was already there, I decided to line up and give it a try.
The other day, at a different cafe, I gave in to the temptation of 'pudding shaved ice' and went home without eating the strawberry shaved ice I had originally wanted.
Today, without hesitation, I ordered the 'Strawberry Milk Special'🍓
A little while later, a pair of people lined up behind me.
After that, a family of six, and then more people...
Before I knew it, a line had formed again.
It really is popular, I suppose.
As I was thinking that while waiting, the two groups in front of me were shown to their seats,
and then it was my turn.
'I'm by myself, so where will they seat me?'
Just as I was thinking that...
For some reason, I was guided to
what seemed to be the largest sofa seat in the shop.
The counter seats were also empty.
Yet, here I was,
alone on a sofa that could seat about six people.
'Wait, here... is it really okay for me to sit here?😂'
Feeling a bit humble,
but also somehow happy,
I sat down firmly on that large sofa.
On the large table in front of me,
many wonderful books were lined up.
'How Successful People Think'
'A Book of Little Poems'
'A Wonderful Solitude'
'Song of Dreams'
'Song of the Sea'
'Song of Flowers'
'Song of Rain'
'Song of the Moon'
'Song of the Stars'
'Song of Snow'
...
How wonderful.
Even though the shop is crowded,
for some reason, I am alone in the most spacious spot.
Next to me, the pairs of people
are sitting happily together in small seats.
That, too, is somehow wonderful.
And I, for my part,
am alone on a large sofa.
I am alone, but
I don't feel lonely.
If anything, it felt a bit luxurious,
a bit funny,
and somehow happy.
Surely, because it takes time to make the shaved ice,
the staff probably doesn't cram people into seats.
I could even feel that relaxed kindness of the shop
in some way.
And then, it suddenly occurred to me.
'A wonderful solitude' might just be
what this is.
Being alone and
being lonely by yourself are
not the same thing.
Because I am alone,
I can sit where I like,
look at the books I like,
savor the things I like,
and enjoy time just for myself.
That kind of 'being alone' is,
unexpectedly, a good thing.
Before long, it was brought to me,
the Strawberry Milk Special🍓
When I took a bite,
the strawberries were properly tart,
and the cream wasn't too sweet.
The balance was just right,
and it was very delicious🍓
The shaved ice I couldn't eat yesterday,
I am eating today in such a mysterious and wonderful seat.
The fact that I couldn't eat it yesterday,
and the fact that I came back to try again today,
I felt like it was all connected somehow.
Even so...
The books on the shelf are just too wonderful.
'Song of Dreams'
'Song of the Sea'
'Song of Flowers'
'Song of Rain'
'Song of the Moon'
'Song of the Stars'
'Song of Snow'
If I find things like this,
I'll want to collect them all🤣
I started to feel like I wanted to read them slowly, but
everyone is waiting.
So today,
I savored the shaved ice slowly,
and left my seat without reading the books.
But,
'How Successful People Think'
'A Book of Little Poems'
'A Wonderful Solitude'
I can't help but be curious about these three books as well.
I felt a desire to collect them all myself and read them.
And then, it suddenly occurred to me.
The owner must be a wonderful person.
Of course, everyone working at the shop today was wonderful too.
Even though it was extremely crowded,
they weren't flustered,
but worked steadily, carefully,
and with a smile.
Perhaps it is because such people are creating it
that a somewhat relaxed atmosphere flows through that shop.
Even though they are busy, they aren't swallowed up by the busyness.
That demeanor was very wonderful.
Today, I
came to eat strawberry shaved ice, but
unexpectedly,
I even received a time of 'wonderful solitude'
before heading home.
Such a summer day.
