Three-Topic Short-Short_Bonehead

Just as rakugo performers do their three-topic stories, I, Koji, shall attempt to do the same.

I am absolutely terrible at project-based writing.

Even if it's a project from someone I'm very close to, I find it hard to just go along with it.

Of all things in the world, I hate restrictions like "rules," "regulations," "deadlines," and "due dates" the most.

No matter how old I get, I remain a stubborn, bratty kid. That is because I am me, kojuro.

Huh? Rakugo? A three-topic story? Yasu-san?

Little kojuro inside my heart muttered quietly.

Koji, aren't you also known as Shiro the Contrarian? If someone said to you, 'Even if you can't write it, that's fine. But it's a waste if you don't try!', wouldn't you actually want to write it?

What are you talking about?

Alright, fine, I'll write it. I'll write it. I just have to write it, right, Little? That's what you want, isn't it?

I lift my heavy, heavy, heavy-as-a-black-hole backside and, half in desperation, pick up my pen.

Well then, let's begin the three-topic short-short, "Bonehead."

I will protect Kotomi-san through thick and thin!

That was how Muneo's wedding speech went.




He was serious and meticulous. He had excellent grades in both academics and baseball. He was a nice guy who sometimes showed his bottomless passion, but at his core, he was full of calm and collected leadership. That was Muneo.



It was the quarterfinals of the regional tournament in the summer of our final year of high school. Bottom of the 10th inning. We were trailing by one run against a powerhouse, with no outs and the bases loaded.

Muneo was at bat.



Two balls, no strikes. The manager's sign was "take."



The runners were poised to run. Muneo was supposed to fake a bunt.




But, incredibly, Muneo bunted the next ball.


A missed sign, and that was the end. The man who was supposed to be engraved in our subconscious as the "most reliable" had single-handedly crushed our ultimate chance.



Muneo is now a top-tier employee at a major general trading company. He is a good father blessed with children, but...


I heard that just the other day, he made a blunder by falling during a relay race at his child's kindergarten sports day and was scolded severely by Kotomi.



I like that side of Muneo.

When I turned around to talk to my wife about the ins and outs of Yasu-san's three-topic story project, the empty sofa laughed silently.

Since the other day, my wife has been staying at a hotel in the city for a project.

My heart just can't seem to keep up with the silent atmosphere of the room.

My wife's words from that time echo in my head.

Are you still doing these three-topic stories? Well, in that spirit, I'll give you a triple-return on the massage(Note 1). Pe-pen, bam!

…….

Judging by our exchange earlier today, my wife seems to be doing well.

When my wife is doing well, our home is bright and peaceful.





That is why.

This is fine.

(Note 1) 'Massa' is short for massage. My wife, Sacchan, calls it that. Giving Sacchan a 'massa' is my most important daily routine.