Novel: Resonance of Petrichor 31
Chapter 31: Watching Over a Certain Loneliness ⑤
“You know, I used to feel like deep bonds and connections with anyone other than myself were just a ‘dream.’ I was cherished by Tatsujun and Haruka, but Haruka died, and Tatsujun became obsessed with Aira.
To be honest, I didn’t think you would come to pick me up near Aira’s hideout.”
Kinkuma does not meet my eyes.
“The day I emailed Tatsujun from the hideout.
I never imagined that Tatsujun would come to the hideout that very day and take me home.
Deep connections with others weren’t just a dream.
I truly realized that I was cherished by Tatsujun.”
In these times of rapid technological development and shifting values, people feel lonely and are unable to build true bonds with one another.
Although ‘connections’ online, such as on social media, are increasing, I, who felt distrust and despair that they could not replace real human relationships,
feel my heart unraveling at Kinkuma’s words.
The divergence between social media and reality is further increasing each individual’s sense of loneliness.
The fact that relationships where people can sincerely support and share with one another are being lost may be a worrying situation.
The raw voice I hear right beside me is warm.
I don’t have the power to change society.
“But if asked, ‘How can we break through the situation?’”
I would answer that it requires not just changing individual consciousness, but also social system reforms that emphasize connections between people and interactions between people and animals, and from a macro perspective, initiatives like the revitalization of local communities.
I, who lamented that only I was unhappy and retreated into a shell of my own heart.
However, Kinkuma believes in me.
Though his form is that of a hamster, as I interact with Kinkuma, who is devoted to staying by my side,
“I cannot stay cooped up in the house forever.
I cannot drag Kinkuma into my unhappiness.”
Kinkuma’s back looks lonely as he watches the cherry blossoms from the bay window. Kinkuma doesn’t touch his dried fruit.
Surely, he just doesn’t complain, but Kinkuma is lonely too.
Tears spilled out.
‘I truly realized that I was cherished by Tatsujun.’
Kinkuma’s words flow through my heart without stagnation and overflow.
My heart, which was on the verge of being crushed by the loneliness following Haruka’s death and the despair of being betrayed by Aira, is being healed little by little by Kinkuma’s sincerity.
I, who was in the depths of loneliness, am being supported by a small existence and am trying to stand up so that I can walk forward again.
“I’m going to start job hunting.
I’ve caused you nothing but worry, but I’ll do my best so that one day I can feed you something delicious.”
I’m a 40-year-old guy, my life is just beginning!