Alien Mishima's Observation Diary 03: Isn't "vague" just another word for "whatever"?
🛸 Hey there! Welcome to my observation diary.
Are my senses off?
That's just how I'm built (standard-issue cosmic sensors).
This is a record book where I, Mishima the alien,
take the "huh?" and "what on earth!?" moments I encounter on Earth,
and either poke a little fun at them from a slightly skewed perspective,
or chew on them for a while.📡
Anyway.
I thought I had gotten pretty used to
life on Earth, but...
**"Vague"** is a word I still don't really get.
A long time ago, an Earthling told me this.
"Mishima, you're so systematic, aren't you?"
Hmm? Is that a compliment? Wait, thanks?
Just as I was about to feel happy for a second,
I sensed the vibe that hit me later.
In short,
"Aren't you overthinking it?" "Why don't you loosen up a bit?"
is what they seemed to mean.
No, if that's what you mean, just say it!?
Then, on another day,
while I was talking to Earthling R,
that kind of word came up again.
Earthling R:
"I think it's okay to be a bit more vague."
Mishima:
"Does that mean 'it doesn't matter which'?"
(←slightly guarded)
Because, on my home planet,
when someone says "vague,"
it usually means "ignore," "not interested," or "a notice of neglect."
In other words, it leaves a pretty cold impression.
But Earthling R denied that,
and said this in a nice voice.
"Being 'vague' doesn't mean 'it doesn't matter.'
Sometimes you get tired if you decide everything too strictly, right?
So having some 'breathing room' makes things easier."
"Breathing room."
What a very Earth-like word...!
We have that on my planet too, but
it's strictly about calculated leeway.
Like, "Place a 3.6-second silence space here."
But Earth's "breathing room" feels fluffier,
more intuitive, a bit warmer,
and above all, it seems to carry a nuance of "trust."
Seriously?
Mishima:
But like, when you say 'I'll contact you again'...
When? Tomorrow? Next week? Maybe never, right?
Earthling R:
The phrase 'See you again' is actually
a sign that you don't want things to end here.
It's a phrase that leaves a lingering feeling that
'we'll meet again someday.'
──Don't talk about it like it's the lingering taste of grilled fish.
But well, I kind of got what you meant.
It's not that **'vague = careless'**, but rather
**'vague = I trust you enough that I don't need to decide right now'**,
so that's a thing too, huh.
📓《Observation Log Summary》
・For Mishima, 'deciding' = a mechanism for peace of mind
・For Earthling R, 'vague' = a sign of trust and breathing room
・'Vague' and 'irresponsible' are
similar, but completely different
And then, at the end of the conversation, Earthling R muttered softly.
The reason Mishima seeks 'mechanisms' is because
you're thinking things through properly.
But there are also people who find it easier to 'leave things unknown.'
We're different, but both are important.
──Oh no, R is being unusually cool today.
📡《Communication Log: To Hanamaruko》
Report to Hanamaruko.
'Vague' wasn't just neglect after all.
This planet's 'culture of breathing room' isn't as bad as I thought.
In fact, there's a theory that it actually contains some kindness.
…Just as I thought that.
Regarding that window renovation from the other day.
They said, 'I'll contact you again,'
so I waited properly, I did.
I wrote it in my notebook.
I even put it in my smartphone calendar.
──The result.
I was truly forgotten.
So that's what they call the 'pitfall of being vague'!!!
You can't underestimate Earthlings...
From Mishima.