Life Post (Part 2)

"So, Ya-chan, that's where you're living, huh."
"Where is Mr. Nakahashi now?"
"He died a long time ago. In the war."
Hearing those words, both Chihiro and I were left speechless.
"Ya-chan knows it too. But even so, she can't help but write. You young people might not understand, though."

On the drive back, neither Chihiro nor I spoke for a while.
"Why are you so invested in Mr. Hirano?"
Honestly, I was surprised that Chihiro was so supportive.
"You see, I lived with my grandmother until middle school. We were always fighting. I hated that, so when I started high school, I came to this town by myself."
Chihiro told me she had lost her parents when she was young.
"Even after I came here, I barely replied to my grandmother's messages. I thought she was a nuisance, or I just wanted to be left alone. Recently, my grandmother passed away. Sometimes I really wish I had met her more often."
Chihiro must have seen something of herself in Mr. Hirano, who had no family left. I couldn't find the words to say.
"I've never written a letter before, but maybe it's a good thing."

After dropping Chihiro off at the convenience store where she worked, I headed to my workplace with the letter. When I visited her room, Mr. Hirano was, for once, sitting in her wheelchair, looking out the window.
"Mr. Hirano, here."
When I handed her the letter that had been returned as undeliverable, Mr. Hirano wore an expression as if she had realized everything.
"I'm sorry for putting you through the trouble."
"Not at all."
"You and Chihiro are both so kind, I ended up relying on you a bit too much. The town seems to have changed quite a bit, hasn't it?"
Saying that, Mr. Hirano took out her mobile phone and showed me a message from Chihiro.
"She said it had become a drugstore."
I never imagined Chihiro would do something like that.
"Unlike your generation, in our time, it wasn't so easy for two people to just go out together. I kept waiting for him to return from the war, but he never did."
Mr. Hirano took a photograph out of her desk drawer. The man, about my age, had a very dignified face.
"I even married someone else to make a living. But, you know, it didn't go well. I think my husband, who tried to love me while I was always thinking of someone else in my heart, must have suffered too. After we divorced, I lived alone ever since. Even knowing it wouldn't reach him, I wanted to write down the words I couldn't convey."
Mr. Hirano smiled slowly as she said that. Her expression seemed to be holding back a deep sense of loneliness.
"I'm planning to visit Mr. Nakahashi's grave with Chihiro next time, in your place, Mr. Hirano."
In truth, I shouldn't be doing this. I know that. I'm sure if Mr. Sasaki found out, he'd be furious and tell me not to get too attached to one resident.
"Thank you. I am truly grateful for your kindness. Just the other day, Mr. Sasaki told me, 'Please tell us what you write in your letters; we will accept everything.' I've lived alone, but I'm truly glad I chose this place for my final years."
I squeezed Mr. Hirano's hand, which was trembling with tears.

"You want to install a post box?"
Mr. Sasaki looked as bewildered as I expected.
"Well, I thought about it. I figured there might be others besides Mr. Hirano who want to convey these kinds of feelings."
"And what will you do with those letters?"
"That is..."
Chihiro, who had been listening, cut in.
"The goal isn't to deliver them, but to leave them behind. Proof of their existence, addressed to someone."
Mr. Sasaki sighed.
"All right. I'll propose it to the company."

A few months later, a handmade post box was installed in the hall.
"Good."
"It turned out pretty well, didn't it?"
Since then, Chihiro had quit her convenience store job and started working here full-time.
"What should we name it?"
"I've already thought of one."
"Oh?"
I placed a handmade plaque on top of the post box.
"Life Post. Not bad."
"Even knowing the letters won't be delivered, people still want to write them. I hope we can support those feelings."
"Then, I'll be the first one."
Chihiro took out a letter.
"I've never written a letter before."
Chihiro's face, smiling shyly, seemed to have softened a little.
"Come on, we have to go tell Mr. Hirano."
"You're right."
I hurried toward Mr. Hirano's room.