After More Than 20 Years

One day, I had a dream.

I was in my late thirties, but I had returned to being a second-grader, playing with a friend I used to play with every day back then, laughing until my stomach hurt.

It was so realistic that I couldn't believe it was a dream; it was as if I had time-traveled back to those days.





When I was in second grade, due to my older brother's entrance exams, I lived for one year at my aunt's house, which happened to be vacant because she was on a work transfer.

The environment was completely different from my hometown, and everything was fresh.
Just that alone was so much fun. It was just fun.

But what was most fun of all was the time I spent with a friend in the same class.

I don't remember how we became friends, but before I knew it, we were playing together every day.

Even in a park that looks surprisingly small when seen as an adult, as long as that friend was there, it was the best playground.

We would laugh out loud at the smallest things.

It was such an intense and special time for me that I couldn't believe I had only been there for one year.



However, my brother's high school entrance exams ended, he passed, and after his graduation ceremony, I returned to my hometown as planned.

I had just returned to the hometown I was used to.

But that friend wasn't there.
It was just boring.

In fact, from around fourth grade, I started worrying about human relationships and spent a gloomy student life.

I would sometimes think, 'I wish that friend was nearby,' but since there was a fair distance between us, we didn't meet often.

Even so, until I graduated from junior high, we exchanged letters and I would take trains to go see her.

Once I became a high school student, I was at an age where exchanging letters didn't feel right, and we somehow drifted apart.




However, after that, I would end up regretting this choice for nearly 20 years.






I think I was 24 at the time.

I went to the aunt's house where I had lived when I was in second grade.

It had been a long time, so I felt nostalgic, and after leaving my daughter, who was still small, with my mother and aunt, I went for a walk in the neighborhood alone.

I passed by the park where we used to play, the school grounds, and the front of my friend's house, and immersed myself in memories.


I would periodically think, 'I want to see that friend. Is she doing well? What is she doing now? I should have kept in touch.' I did think that.

But right then, that feeling became strong all at once, and I thought, should I be bold and try visiting my friend's parents' house as it is?
Her mother might be there.

I thought that, but then I put the brakes on, thinking, 'It's too sudden, isn't it? It would be a nuisance,' and I made a U-turn back to my aunt's house where my daughter was waiting.

I decided to keep those days as a good memory.






My daughter became an elementary school student and enrolled in my alma mater.

Every time I walk through the school building, which hasn't changed much, memories of when I was an elementary student myself come back vividly.

When that happens, the memories of second grade come back again.
Even though I spent years other than second grade in that school building, so it has nothing to do with this building.

Anyway, it has such a strong presence.
The second-grade me appears whenever there's a chance.

The existence of my friend crosses my mind again.
But I don't know my friend's contact information anymore.
She might have moved far away for work or marriage.
Her parents might have moved, and that house might be in someone else's hands.

Even if she was still nearby, she might think, 'Why now? Is this a pyramid scheme?'

In fact, when I called another classmate's parents' house to contact them for a reunion, I was mistaken for a classmate scam (a scam call using a contact network) that was popular at the time, and the phone was hung up on me in an annoyed manner. lol

'It's too late, isn't it?'
I convinced myself and put it back in my heart as a good memory.






However, four years ago, I had an incredibly realistic dream.
I, who should be in my late thirties, am in second grade, playing innocently with that friend.
It was incredibly realistic.

The moment I woke up, I wanted to see my friend no matter what.

If anything, even if I couldn't meet her, just knowing she was doing well would be enough. Isn't there some way? I was filled with an unstoppable feeling.

I, who was using social media for handmade crafts, couldn't help but tweet about this.
(A nostalgic ring to it)

I decided to try visiting her parents' house with a letter containing my contact information, even if it was a long shot.

Then, I received many words of encouragement from people who read it.

I gained courage there, and while trembling with the suspicion of being a scammer, I took trains to deliver the letter to my friend's parents' house.

Since we had no mutual friends and no clues other than her parents' house, it might end in a disappointing result. Even so, I couldn't just do nothing.

Thinking that, I caught my breath and pressed the intercom of my nostalgic friend's parents' house, and there was my friend's mother!

When I identified myself, she immediately smiled and was happy, saying, 'Is that you, [Name]!'

The classmate scam incident served as the perfect setup, and the excitement reached its peak!

I think I was floating a few centimeters off the ground because I was so elated.





After that, I had a reunion with my friend for the first time in over 20 years, who replied, 'It sounds interesting,' even though she was inwardly bracing herself, thinking, 'Is she going to try to sell me a vase?'
(She was suspicious after all lol)

When we talked, naturally, our hobbies and tastes were completely different from when we were in second grade.

Yet, surprisingly, we were watching the same YouTube channels, liked the same genres, and our hobbies and tastes were very similar.

All the books my friend recommended were very interesting, and she was happy that the radio program I recommended to her was very interesting.

I was surprised and didn't expect that our tastes would match so well when we reunited as adults.


That friend is 'Bungu-san,' who was the reason I started note.
This is about our reunion from Bungu-san's perspective. ↓
The illustration tells the story lol

I believe that the intense dream I had back then was God, my ancestors, or someone telling me, 'Go and meet her.'

Thanks to that, I am very happy now.

I look forward to what Bungu-san will post next every day.

I read Bungu-san's articles night after night, giggling, grinning, and tearing up.

When I was worried about human relationships, my fun memories with Bungu-san supported me, but I feel that from now on, Bungu-san's note will color my days and support me.

If you read this article and someone suddenly popped into your head, maybe that's a sign to 'try contacting them'?

That was the story of the meeting and reunion between the persistent me and Bungu-san.