The Night I Lost My Compass of Love: Etcetera of a Sailor Fortune Teller Who Doesn't Understand 'Normal Love' — The Voyage Tetralogy, Chapter 4

*This post is a true-story essay written by me, an active sailor.
The 'future' foretold on Harajuku's Takeshita Street on the night I lost my compass of love.
A record of a romantic voyage that will make you laugh and cry, read by over 1,500 people in one day since its release.

'I can't have a normal love.'
For those whose hearts are stirred by those words—

The day a sailor fortune teller who 'can't have a normal love' had his future with a woman two generations younger foretold. It is a record of a romantic voyage that is funny yet a little bittersweet.

・Those who are lost regarding love and age
・Those who have been saved by fortune telling
・Those who are standing at a crossroads in life

I would be happy if you could read this. I am updating my 'Compass of Life' every Friday at 7:30 PM. Please like and follow.

'I can't have a normal love—' One day, while walking down Harajuku's Takeshita Street, holding onto that murmur. Before I knew it, I had even lost my 'compass' of love.

Chapter 1: Takeshita Street was another world—An around-forty fortune teller gets lost

One evening, I was walking down Harajuku's Takeshita Street.

'...Is this really Japan?'

The dusk on Takeshita Street was overflowing with energy.

Watching groups of young women laughing happily, cafes bustling with couples, and general stores that exuded a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere, I walked while avoiding the crowds.

If I calculated the average age, wouldn't it be less than half of mine?

'I feel like my spirit is rejuvenating...!'

However, my actual age doesn't change just because of my spirit. Unless there is a fountain of youth somewhere on Takeshita Street, I remain an around-forty sailor fortune teller.

Thinking about such things, I headed to a fortune-telling hall. I was scheduled to have a reading and discuss my future there.

Chapter 2: The Unspoken Rules of the Fortune Telling Hall

“Is there a fortune telling hall where even a sailor can join?”
Since my rhythm is different from that of a normal fortune teller, I was worried about whether I could join.

Then, the fortune teller smiled and said this.

“I don't think that will be a problem. However, there is an unspoken rule at the fortune telling hall that you must have at least three years of experience.”

“Wait, does that mean I can't do it yet?”

“It would be best to start with chat or email readings.”

I see. So it's more realistic to build up a track record with online fortune telling rather than debuting at a hall right away. I was convinced and waited for the teacher's next words.

Chapter 3: The Compass of Love, Broken

“You are cut out to be a fortune teller.”

The teacher said with a smile.

“(Well, they probably say that to everyone.)”

Even so, now that I have started studying fortune telling in earnest, it doesn't feel bad to be told that.

“Also, about marriage...”

“Oh, that's something to be curious about.”

“It would be best for you to get married between the ages of 61 and 62.”

"...Huh?"

I couldn't believe my ears.

"No, no, no! Isn't that basically retirement age already?!"

"And, you should aim for a woman two cycles younger than you."

"...Hmm?"

The teacher said with a slightly mischievous smile.

"You see, a mature, capable woman might be a bit too much for you to handle."

"Since you're the type who overthinks things, you might find yourself bewildered by an adult woman's independence and experience."

"Whaaaaaaat!?!?!"

At this shocking advice, the compass in my brain started spinning wildly.

"No, you say it so easily, but two cycles younger... wait, if I'm 61, that makes her 37?"

"That's right."

"If it's two cycles younger than my current age... wait, that's early twenties!?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"I can't even imagine such a future!!!"

Even as a part of me was retorting, 'There's no way such a future exists,' it felt as if it had been etched into me like a prophecy.

Chapter 4: Records of Past Romantic Voyages

That said, come to think of it, there was a time when a girlfriend more than a cycle younger than me pressed me to 'Marry me!'"

On the other hand, dating mature women (so-called Minato-ku girls) was, honestly, incredibly difficult.

I see... when I compare it to my past experiences, it makes strange sense.

I never expected my past romantic experiences to be completely analyzed by fortune-telling.

Your life already has the answer.

I felt as if the results of the fortune-telling were whispering that to me.

However, a woman in her 20s who works in the public eye, whom I met the other day, said to me,

What's important isn't age, it's 'energy'.

—For some reason, her words, said with a smile, still remain in my heart.

'Energy over age'—that might really be true.
Perhaps you, too, have been saved by words like that.

Those words, too, must have been 'hope in the midst of despair'.

Chapter 5: Where Am I Heading?

I left the fortune-telling parlor and thought as I walked down Takeshita Street.

A future where I marry a woman two cycles younger than me at 61...

...No, that hurdle is just way too high, isn't it!

But if it's a future revealed by fortune-telling... no, no, no!!!

While glancing at the young people on Takeshita Street, 'Can I really do it?' and 'No, that's impossible!' were fiercely clashing in my mind.

Life is a voyage.

My romantic voyage is still in the midst of rough seas.

Even so, there was a part of me that felt a tiny bit of expectation for the future indicated by the compass of fortune-telling.

What is 'normal love'?
That question is still swaying like waves within me. If you have had a similar experience, I would be happy if you could quietly let me know in the comments or by sharing.

*This work is an entry for the 'note Creative Awards 2025' essay category, and
it is actually a 'hidden tetralogy' structure consisting of the [Front Trilogy] + [Back Single Work].

[Front Trilogy]

[Work 1] 'That Day, I Began My "Reality Reincarnation"' — The meaning of 'my own life' found beyond escapism

[Work 2] 'Fate Quietly Recovers Its Foreshadowing' — A story of a quiet fresh start where coincidence and inevitability intersect

[Work 3] 'What Decontamination Work in Fukushima in 2013 Taught Me About "Hope Amidst Despair"'
— A record of 'life' and 'hope' seen from the field

[Back Single Work] (This work) 'The Night I Lost My Compass of Love: Etcetera of a Sailor Fortune Teller Who Doesn't Understand "Normal Love"' — An essay on a 'fresh start in love' that transcends age and occupation

[Extra Edition]
'The Day I Was Told "We're the Same Kind"'
— An extra edition of the Voyage Tetralogy. A quiet dialogue 'exchanged in the shadows of the main story.'

The phrase 'hope amidst despair' that appears at the end of Chapter 4 of this work
is quietly linked to 'Decontamination Work,' the final installment of the Front Trilogy.

Love and reality, fortune-telling and labor. Though they may seem like completely different worlds,
perhaps a common question flows through both: 'finding a quiet light within helplessness.'

If there is someone who noticed—that is the greatest reward of all.

Please feel free to read about the 'voyage that cannot be written on a resume' that lies in the background of this story.

Thank you for reading until the end🐟️. On note, I post stories about starting life over and nights when I've come to a standstill every Friday night. I would be happy if you could leave a 'like' or read my other articles.

*I reply to every comment.
Even a single word like 'I read it' is very welcome. I am waiting for your voice at the port.

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I would be happy if we could meet again somewhere on the voyage of your life.