His Story from Indonesia

"Shall I tell you an old story?"
His voice echoed quietly in the dim private room.

"Have you ever been to Indonesia?"
I shook my head slowly.

"There was a tiger right in front of me. It had no hostility, but it didn't try to make me its prey either. It passed by as if it couldn't even see me."
Imagining a forest with a tiger right in front of me, a chill ran down my spine.

"After that, I was reborn. You might not believe me, but I have memories of my past lives. Let's see... I remember up to three lives ago. It started in that forest with the tiger. Would you listen to the lives I've had since then? Just five minutes is all I need."
Five minutes. Staying here for that long wasn't ideal for me. But I felt I couldn't just walk away without hearing the old story he had to tell.

"In my next life, I always had a difficult look on my face. I wasn't the type to stay in one place, so I was passed around from person to person. Some cherished me, while others were rough. Eventually, I wore out, became tattered, and ended that life without any significant memories."
Imagining him when he was tattered, I gently stroked the him that was in front of me now.

"My third life might have been the happiest. A young man and woman were in front of me, taking turns writing characters. They took photos, and then they looked at me and smiled at each other. Then, I was handed over to someone else with words like 'Congratulations.'"
I imagine him when he was happy. Crisper and stiffer than he is now.

"My reincarnation as paper ends today. I'm glad you were the last one. You are very kind. You folded me so carefully and listened to my story."
In my hands, he says softly and gently.

"Thank you. Now, go ahead and use me. It's fine. I was reborn for this purpose. Hard to believe, isn't it? I survived a tiger, I was the most valuable bill in a wallet, and then I was a paper of happiness called a marriage registration. And now, after all that, I'm going to end up wiping someone's bottom... Come on, go ahead. Wipe yourself."
Having heard his life story, I can't say I wasn't bewildered. So, just one last thing. This is the only thing I want to hear.

"What happens after this? I told you already. My life as paper is over. I can't go back to being paper anymore. If you really want to know what happens next, you'll have to find out for yourself. I was lucky enough to experience so many reincarnations. Japan's recycling technology isn't bad either. But... if I could, I would have liked to stay in that forest with the tiger forever. Now, you're at your limit, aren't you? You can't use me while I'm talking. Goodbye."
After that, he didn't say another word. There is only one thing I can do for him. Right now.

The scent of artificial roses filled the private room. I wonder what kind of scent he had in the forest with the tiger.

(1197 characters)

This short-short story is an entry for the Pirika Grand Prix hosted by Pirika. This is my first attempt.