Amano Writing Club: 'Not Enough Romance'
25 years of marriage.
What is romance?
If it were in a story, I could probably imagine something and write something that sounds like it, but in real life, romance? Come on.
Did it ever exist in the past?
I feel like it might have, but even when I try to remember, I'm not sure if those are even our own memories.
Maybe it's just a scene I saw in some drama.
The other day, my wife headed off to an autograph session for her favorite idol.
I sent her off with a casual 'Yeah, yeah, have a good time,' but about two hours later, I got a call from her.
I could hear a voice on the other end that sounded like it was about to cry.
Apparently, she needed her My Number card to participate in the autograph session, but she couldn't find it anywhere.
Her card was sitting all by itself on the table right in front of me while I was on the phone.
Of course she couldn't find it.
So, she asked if I could somehow bring it to her right away.
If she went back to get it herself, it would be a round trip, and she definitely wouldn't make it in time.
She apologized profusely and begged me to do it.
After all, it was an autograph session where she could meet her favorite idol in person.
Naturally, she wouldn't want to miss this opportunity.
I understand how she feels.
However, from my perspective, it was a complicated feeling.
Like, go there, hand it over, and turn right back around? Or, is it worth going that far to meet them?
…No, to be blunt,
'Why do I have to help you go meet another man?'
That's what I think it was.
It was surprising that such feelings still remained in me.
Driven by those thoughts, I hurriedly got ready and hopped on the train.
Since it would be lonely to make the round trip alone, I persuaded my daughter to come along.
It was a crisis for her mother. I couldn't just ignore it.
Even so, it was a situation where it was touch-and-go whether we'd make it in time, but the train wouldn't speed up just for personal convenience.
Since there was nothing I could do even if I was in a hurry, I distracted myself from the anxiety by reading a lot of interesting works posted on note.
And then, I arrived at the meeting station.
My wife was waiting at the ticket gate.
With a look of genuine relief, she said,
'Thank you. It looks like I'll make it. You really saved me.'
And then she left.
It felt empty to just go straight home, so I took my daughter to a nearby shopping mall, had tea at a cafe, and ate some sweets.
Unexpectedly, I enjoyed a date in Tokyo with my daughter.
Even though it was supposed to be a holiday where I just lounged around at home.
I headed home on the train at dusk.
My wife waiting at the ticket gate.
It reminded me a little of those days.
It's not romance, but back when we were still lovers.
Back when we would meet at the station and spend time just the two of us.
I remembered that such a time existed.
And today, my wife is energetically supporting her favorite idol again.
Still lacking romance, well, these days I feel like if the family is healthy, that's good enough.
I participated in this project.
Thank you very much.