Washing Away the Lies [Shirokuma Literature Club: Theme 'Washing Hands']

Komaki-san, thank you for the prompt. Following the attached article, here I go.

(592 characters)

Wash my hands. Over and over, with extreme caution, until the skin on my hands feels like it might peel off. I know it's a foolish act. Even knowing that, I couldn't help but do it.

Everything has its 'proper time,' doesn't it?

I felt a slight wave of nausea at the forced line, and suppressed it so as not to be noticed.

"You're a good woman. It was always fun when we were together. That's why I want to end it while it's still fun."

I had no words to return to his hollow remarks, so I just nodded in silence.

In truth, there are mountains of things I want to tell him.

You've found someone you like, haven't you?
There's someone much more attractive than me, isn't there?
You want to go to her quickly, don't you?
If so, why won't you just tell me you hate me, or that you're tired of me?

I don't want a scene. I have a tiny bit of pride, too. Unable to bear the hollowness of the line he would surely say next—'I knew you'd say that. You really are a good woman'—I turned on my heel.

Wash my hands. I wash them over and over, until the skin feels like it's going to peel. The autumn night makes the water cold, and my hands, held under the running water for so long, were red and congested.

"Ah, how pathetic. Both that man and me."

I wanted to wash away the me who wore a mask to cut ties with a lying man.
I wanted to wash away that phoniness. Even after taking a shower, I washed my hands again and again.

Maybe I'll brew some chamomile tea. I'll make something to accompany listening to the new album by the guitarist I adore, which I bought just yesterday.

It looks like it's going to be a sleepless night tonight.

— Fin —

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