Ooinu Airport Story (1) "A transfer, you mean exile, right?"
Synopsis
Kohei Otani, who was on the fast track at a major corporation's headquarters, is ordered to transfer to "Ooinu Airport," a small regional airport in northern Tohoku, following an argument with company executives. It is his first time living away from his wife and daughter, whom he leaves behind in Tokyo. Otani views the transfer as a demotion and is bewildered by his new environment. However, through his encounters with Akita dogs, the people working at the airport, and the local community, he begins to change little by little. Discovering the meaning of work that he couldn't see in the city and the satisfaction of being appreciated by others, Otani begins to reclaim his true self—beyond his job title—in a place he once thought was the bottom of the abyss.
My name is Kohei Otani.
I work for a reasonably large company that flies through the sky.
I've even been in and out of the Prime Minister's office a few times. I live in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, with my wife and daughter.
I had assumed I was at the core of the company, on the fast track to success.
And now, here I am, holding a snow shovel in the office of an airport in northern Tohoku. The temperature is below freezing.
Yes, I am currently at the "end of the world."
The reason? Well, I had an argument with someone fairly important at the company.
Before I knew it, the transfer order had been issued.
I received the order in a room in a high-rise building in the city center.
"You are ordered to transfer to Ooinu Airport."
My mind went blank.
Ooinu Airport?
Huh? Why me?
I (supposedly) went there once for work 30 years ago.
I don't remember almost anything.
All I remember is that it was cold, that the dialect was harder to understand than English, making me feel lonely, and that I was served a dish of unknown meat which I forced myself to swallow with a polite smile.
I feel so uncomfortable that I can't breathe properly.
The countryside doesn't suit me, does it? Someone, please laugh.
Tell me it's a joke.
I asked my wife.
"You're not coming with me... right?"
"That's right, I have my own work. Sorry."
So casual.
I asked my daughter, too.
"No way."
Living alone it is.
This is the first time no one in my family will come with me.
I don't want this, I don't want to go, someone help me.
Author's Note
Nice to meet you.
Thank you for finding your way to Ooinu Airport.
Ooinu Airport is a fictional airport, but it is inspired by a small airport in the Tohoku region.
From here on, I will be writing a story about the slapstick life of a transferred salaryman and his journey to rethink his way of living. Please feel free to join me.
And actually, my "real job" is to increase the number of members for the fan club of the airport that serves as the model for this one. I would be happy if this novel helps you learn even a little bit about the airport and the region.
Registration is complete just by adding the official LINE account as a friend!
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