[Short Story] The Galaxy Seller #ShirokumaLiteratureClub
It has been three years since I became a galaxy seller.
I still don't really understand what it is I'm selling.
I entered this world after being invited by my mentor.
My mentor is a trustworthy person.
However, I had never met a galaxy seller before meeting them. And I haven't met one since, either.
Perhaps my mentor and I are the only two galaxy sellers in this world.
My mentor just laughs and dismisses it, saying, "That can't be true," but I have a feeling it is. Apparently, there was someone who taught my mentor the ropes of galaxy selling, but that person passed away a long time ago.
To begin with, you can't make a living just by selling galaxies.
I work three part-time jobs to cover my living expenses.
Once, while drunk at a work drinking party, I let it slip to a girl I was interested in that, "Actually, I sell galaxies," but she was completely put off, asking, "What is that? Are you trying to be a poet?" When I told my mentor, they laughed out loud and said, "I told you, keep it to yourself."
I can't keep living this aimless life forever.
Mostly, I just help my mentor and have never actually sold a galaxy myself. I made up my mind and asked my mentor.
"Mentor, what exactly is a galaxy seller?"
"It's your job, isn't it?"
"No, I haven't sold a galaxy yet. You know that. What is it that you are selling?"
"A galaxy seller sells galaxies. Obviously."
"Actually... I don't even know what a galaxy is!"
"I figured."
"You knew? And I worked up the courage to say it."
"I was the same way. You see, you can't understand a galaxy unless you buy one. Or rather, you can't understand it unless you possess one."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Furthermore, you can only sell what you possess. That goes without saying. A galaxy seller increases the galaxies they possess and then sells them."
"How do you increase them?"
"You wouldn't understand if I told you now. Not when you don't even know what a galaxy is."
"Then, please sell me a galaxy!"
"How much can you offer? My galaxies are expensive."
"...Maybe about 50,000 yen?"
"Pfft, that wouldn't even buy you stardust. ...Oh well, I'll share a little of my galaxy with you. It's about time you started earning your keep."
"Thank you!"
My mentor took off their jacket and said,
"Place your hand on my left chest. ...Don't get any funny ideas."
"I won't."
I placed my right hand on my mentor's left chest.
"Here we go."
My mentor whispered something in a low voice.
Then, something invisible began to flow through my right hand! It was something incredibly vast, silent, yet bursting with the vitality of life.
This is a galaxy!
I felt a surge of confidence welling up inside me.
My mentor moved my right hand away and said,
"Well, do you understand a little more about galaxies now?"
"I can't say I understand, but I felt it. The galaxy."
"That's right. The galaxies we sell are things you feel. And there are a certain number of people who seek this out. They are willing to pay any price to buy it."
"I think I understand."
My mentor nodded with satisfaction and spoke again.
"Now, my role is finished. Since a new galaxy seller like you has been born, I must return to where I came from."
"Where is the place you came from?"
"You'll remember eventually."
"I have no idea."
"That's fine, even if you don't know now. Please sell galaxies well in my place. Goodbye."
Something like a galaxy emerged from my mentor, expanded in a flash, and then immediately shrank with a whoosh, and my mentor vanished.
"Mentor! Please come back!!"
I tried to shout my mentor's name, but I couldn't remember it at all. Wait, come to think of it, what was my own name again?
Well, that's not really a big problem.
I just need to sell my galaxy.
It's a simple matter.
(1452 characters)
*I participated in this project.
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