Do you really need 100 friends?

Do you have many friends?

There is a song that goes, "When I become a first grader, I wonder if I can make 100 friends," but as a child, I was a bit cynical, so I thought, "There's no way I can make 100 friends in a rural place like this."

Time passed, and I made more friends when I spent my student days in the big city of Tokyo.

But the relationships were shallow, just based on having fun.

It felt uncomfortable, so there were even times when I lied and said, "I don't remember you," because I remembered their faces but didn't want to get involved with them. Sweat

Having many superficial friends isn't necessarily a good thing, is it?

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I have my hair cut by A-kun, a friend (a boy) I've known since junior high school.
At a hair salon in Aoyama, a stylish neighborhood.

I don't usually put much effort into my appearance, but I dress up a little more than usual to go to the hair salon.

At first, I felt it was a hassle to dress up for the salon, and I went feeling nervous.
I shouldn't have to worry about such things, but with my fragile mental state, I end up overthinking everything.

A little while ago.

Three months had passed since my last visit to the salon.
I was busy with work, and on weekends I had family plans, so I just skipped the salon because I wanted to zone out.

(After all, I have to dress up to go to the salon!)
Before I knew it, time had flown by.

My gray hair was noticeable, and my hair was damaged and dry.
I felt out of place in such a stylish neighborhood.

Everything around me looked so glamorous.
Even though it's not that far from where I live, Aoyama is full of sophisticated people, and I even see models and celebrities.

I was so underdressed that I felt like I stood out.

It bothered me so much that, even though my friend works there, I found myself thinking for the first time in the 30 years I've been going there,
"Why is the shop in Aoyama?"
(It's my own fault, though, haha)

I wondered if my friend would say, "You've become such a messy old hag!"
Thinking that, I timidly headed to the salon.

When A-kun saw me, he didn't say,
"How many months has it been since your last visit!"Instead, he said, "Even though your kids are big, mothers are always busy with one thing or another," and started coloring my hair.

After a while, we started talking about local matters.

Talking about our hometown and our friends' families is our routine.

For some reason, it's a relief.
Even though I'm in the heart of Tokyo, I sometimes get the illusion that I'm back home.

For someone with a fragile mental state like me, there aren't many people I can talk to without reservation.

While moving from place to place as a transfer family, my opportunities to see my female friends have decreased significantly.
They are all married and busy with child-rearing and work.

If we lived in the same hometown, it would be one thing, but the reality is that it's hard to meet up.
That's why A-kun is a precious friend I can meet and talk to, even if it's only once every few months.

I don't need 100 friends.
Because you can only maintain long-term relationships with a few people.

Regardless of gender, just having people you can be honest with makes your heart calm.

And above all, what's important is having a relationship that isn't clingy.
Because if you meet or contact each other too often, it becomes a burden.

However, if anything happens, I will cooperate with all my might and support you.
Now that I'm nearing fifty, I've realized that such a presence is more important than anything else.

If I had to say just one thing...
A-kun,you're way too flashy!!!

It might be unavoidable due to your profession, but you don't look like you're 48, the same age as me!
Every time I think, 'Whoa! You're a flashy guy again today!', but that's also a good thing ^^

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Thank you for reading until the end.
I would be happy if you could support me with a 'Like♡'.
I want to live comfortably even with a fragile heart! That's what I keep in mind ♪

▼ I published a parenting book for moms with weak mental health! ▼