A Large Bandage and the Final Toast

One week left until I finish living alone.

I had already resigned from my company, so
there was no longer any need to go to work.

Around that time, I was visiting a dermatologist.
I wanted to erase my acne scars, so I underwent laser treatment.

As a result, on my left cheek,
a large bandage was applied.

When I went out, I covered it with a mask.

I didn't have any plans to meet people anyway, and
I no longer needed to worry about how I was seen by others.
That's what I thought.

Just then, my smartphone rang.
It was from Okano-kun, a junior colleague from my company.

“Did I leave something behind?”

I thought as I answered, and
after prefacing that it was just among our group,
he said in a light tone.

“We’re having a final drinking party with everyone, Minori-san.
Since it’s a ‘Goodbye Kansai’ thing,
we’re talking about going for drinks, can you come?”

Goodbye Kansai.
What on earth is that?

I laughed a little.

I had already resigned.
We were in a relationship where it wouldn't matter if we didn't keep in touch.

Even so,
he went out of his way to contact me.
That fact made me happy.

I couldn't do my job well,
and I thought I had only caused trouble.

But, perhaps
even if only a little bit,
I might not have been a ‘nuisance’.

I want to go.
But, the bandage on my cheek bothered me.

I told him honestly.
“I’m in a state where I can’t really meet people right now.
I have a huge bandage on my cheek.”

Okano-kun laughed a little and said,
“Are you doing something weird again?
Well, no one in this group will care.
I think the most you’ll get is someone asking ‘What’s with that bandage?’, so let’s go.”

He continued,
“I’ve already reserved the place.
It’s not yakiniku. Though there is meat.”

I thought, this person really understands me.

After hearing who was coming,
I answered “I’ll go” without hesitation.

Everyone I saw after resigning
looked a little different.

Still, there were people who waved at me just as they always had,
and that made me helplessly happy.

That day, I said at the beginning,
“I have a bandage on my cheek today.
I had some skin removed.
I know you’re curious, but you don’t have to ask about it.”

I knew they would ask.
But I couldn't help but say it.

When I took off my mask,
“It’s huge!”
“It’s bigger than I imagined.”
Those voices were raised.

But immediately,
“Well, don’t worry about it.”
“It doesn’t matter what your cheek looks like.”

In that atmosphere,
I ate meat, laughed,
and had a truly fun time.

After that, we went to karaoke,
and sang our usual songs.

Kumano-san
was incredibly good at singing.

Doing a duet with Kumano-san
was also part of our usual routine.

Around that time,
Kumano-san’s marriage had been decided.

I sang with all my might, and at the end, I said,

“Kumano-san, congratulations on your marriage.”

Applause broke out.
Kumano-san was laughing, looking embarrassed.
“Enough already! It’s not a celebration for me!”

Even so, I clapped my hands until they felt like they would break.
I was happy.

Everyone was laughing.

Okano-kun took a photo of us.

In it, I am
covering my cheek with both hands, hiding the bandage.

But,
it was a face laughing so hard that tears were coming out.

────

I still sometimes
remember the time from back then.

It was painful.
It was tough.

There were many days I wanted to disappear.
I never imagined myself crying.

Surrounded by everyone,
laughing until my stomach hurt.


Even if I’m scraped,
even if I still have a bandage on,
perhaps there are days when I can laugh.

──────────
🫧Me in this form

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