I've started working.

I've started a small job since the end of last month.

I chose a cleaning job.

The location is a library.

It's also one of my favorite places.

The hours are very short, just a little over an hour before it opens.

The frequency is currently about two to three days a week.

I spoke honestly about my illness and my employment gap, and the company was very considerate.

I only received a lecture on the first day, and from the second day on, I've been working alone.

The location is within cycling distance.

Plus, I go straight there and back.

I only exchange light greetings with the library staff, so I hardly interact with anyone.

The cleaning provides just enough physical activity to make me feel like I've had a good workout.

In this season, I feel a bit cold on the way there in the morning, but on the way back, I'm sweating so much I don't even wear a jacket.

I ride on roads with little traffic, so I feel refreshed.

Since it's a road along the river, I'm suddenly struck by the urge to walk slowly along the riverbank on my way home.

However, I can't get my bike up onto the embankment, so I pedal along with my body feeling pleasantly tired, glancing sideways at the top of the bank.

Feeling that the sunlight is pleasant.

This ride home is one of my current pleasures.

The ginkgo trees are gradually changing color.

The gradation of green and yellow is lovely.

I really do love this season.

Winter will be here soon.

Cycling will probably be cold, won't it?

Maybe walking for 20 minutes would be nice too.

When I arrive home, the woman who comes to clean the apartment building where I live, whom I greeted on my way out, is still there.

She looks a few years younger than me.

She is still continuing her work.

I think from the bottom of my heart, 'Thank you for your hard work.'

Cleaning an apartment building... especially a high-rise one, must involve a lot of work.

The amount of trash is quite large, too.

It's absolutely impossible for me.

It's obvious that I wouldn't have the stamina for it.

The reason I decided on the library was that I judged it to be within my physical limits.

Well, even then, it's probably just barely, right? Haha.

Having tried a cleaning job for the first time, I keenly realize that the city is kept clean thanks to cleaners in so many different places.

Stations, parks, shops, apartments, buildings...

It's not just the cleaning industry; this world is made up of all kinds of jobs.

I've come to realize such obvious things.

Feelings of gratitude for trivial things are sprouting.

That is also one of the changes.

Does this mean I have finally been able to return as a part of that society?

I will do my best to do what I can for the customers who come to see the books.

For now, I'll just think about that.

The fact that I've been able to start working again.

That alone is a step forward.

Thank you for reading until the end♪

See you again. Tomoka (❛ ∇ ❛✿)