[What Kind of Story Is This House] My Classmate's House Was a Real-Life Licca-chan House

When I was in elementary school, I took calligraphy lessons, and I would always look up with envy at the large house next to the calligraphy classroom behind the school. What kind of people lived in such a big house? As the daughter of an ordinary office worker, I thought it must be a world I couldn't even imagine. Little did I know at the time that the day would come when I would visit that big house.

When I reached the fifth grade, I ended up in the same class as the child from that big house. Her name was H-san, and she was a girl who clearly had a gorgeous aura. She was tall, had clear-cut, beautiful features, and her hair was naturally curly and fluffy. Yes, she was just like Madame Butterfly from "Aim for the Ace!". I thought that rich kids really are different from the start.

At the time, I was a plain and quiet kid, and if you were to compare it to the school caste system, I think I was around the second or third tier. Because of that, H-san was dazzling to me, and we couldn't really become close enough to talk easily. Still, as time passed, we were able to talk a little bit. Then one day, I was invited to go to H-san's house. I was somewhat close with S-san, who was in H-san's group. S-san invited me to go to H-san's house with her. I was so happy that I said yes immediately.

After school that day, S-san and I visited H-san's house. We entered the entrance hall nervously and were shown to H-san's room on the second floor. That day, the three of us decided to play with Licca-chan dolls, and it was amazing. I remember there were at least three Licca-chan dolls, and there were triplets, a dad, and a mom too. Of course, there were plenty of outfits and shoes for the Licca-chan dolls, and there wasn't just one Licca-chan house, but several, and even a shop. I had a Licca-chan doll too, but I only had one and didn't have that many outfits. Strangely, no feelings of jealousy sprouted; I just had a great time playing, surrounded by so many Licca-chan dolls and accessories.

After a while, H-san's mother brought us snacks. I remember that the snacks she served were things I didn't usually eat and were very delicious. While we were playing, I created some trash, so I asked H-san where the trash can was. H-san pointed to the wall and told me to throw it away there. What was there was a door. Inside this door was a trash chute. I was wide-eyed at this facility I was seeing for the first time. I've lived for quite a while now, but H-san's house is the only place I've ever seen a trash chute. The only other thing I've seen that was similar was the air chute system that used to be in a certain lodging facility where you had to pay to use it.

By playing with H-san that day, I learned that she was a friendly and nice person. Isn't it just too wonderful to be rich, beautiful, and a nice person? From then on, even though we weren't in the same group, we were able to talk closely. Our municipal elementary school changed classes every two years, so we were in the same class in the sixth grade as well. In the end, I visited H-san's house a few times over those two years to play together. Every time, I thought that this house was just like a Licca-chan house.

On the day of the closing ceremony for the second term of sixth grade, H-san invited everyone in the class to her house for a Christmas party. I think more than half of the 40 classmates came. There were so many delicious dishes lined up in the wide, wide living room. We were excited and enjoyed a very gorgeous Christmas party. We exchanged presents and played games together. I still have memories of that dreamlike, fun Christmas party.

After graduation, although I went to the same junior high school as H-san, our school had too many students. I was never in the same class as H-san, and we didn't even pass each other in the hallways very often. I have no idea where H-san is or what she is doing now.

When I visit my parents' house, I sometimes pass by H-san's house. When I see the big house still standing there, all those fun memories from elementary school come to mind. And I think about how I'd like to throw all my unwanted thoughts, entanglements, and belly fat into the trash chute that was inside that house, which was like a Licca-chan house. ...What kind of story is this house?

I am participating in this project 💛

It seems that those who wish to can have their work included in the "What Kind of Story Is This?" ZINE.

While I was struggling with what to write about for the theme of things related to houses, I rewrote an article I wrote when I first started note.

The S-san who appears here is the girl I became even closer with after entering junior high school.

Snow-san, thank you for your help this time as well.
I look forward to working with you 😊

Thank you for reading until the end today as well ♪

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#WhatKindofStoryIsIt