[Serialized Novel] "Fragile Items Reception Counter" is Here (Episode 13)

The "Fragile Items Reception Counter" had vanished without a trace, and only the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore echoed in the area.

"…I'm glad your cup was fixed."

I said it from the bottom of my heart, but Fumi looked apologetic because only hers had returned.

"It might be because I suggested we take them out at the same time… What if that's it… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Haruru-chan."

"But they said they would definitely repair and return it, so I think it will come back in a different form later. My beach glass didn't come back, either."

"I see… That must be it. It'll be okay, right?"

I checked inside the small box thoroughly, but there was no message for the next person. We turned back along the sandy path. The sweet, pleasant air that softly enveloped our bodies grew lighter as we approached the opposite shore. I felt dazed, as if I were walking in a dream, or as if my heart had gone somewhere else entirely. Listening to the quiet sound of water lapping on both sides of the sandy path, we walked slowly, reluctant to leave this space.

Before long, when we returned to where we had been, the air changed instantly. Looking back, the sandy path we had just walked on was completely submerged under the sea. A buzz of noise could be heard, and when I looked, tourists had returned to the area, and Takano-kun and Sayama-san were still in the same spot as before.

"I thought we made it in time, though… Huh! But maybe the counter might appear even if we don't cross Angel Road? Wait? Is it already 5:30…? Huh? Wasn't it just 5:00? Did the clock move forward? Is it broken?"

Since Takano-kun was panicking by himself, I checked my own wristwatch and saw that it was 5:30.

"So... does that mean you both managed to find the counter?"

Sayama-san said.

"Yes. Thanks to you..."

"Whaaaat?! No way!! Why? When? Where? I didn't see it! ...Ah!! Wait, does that mean... we just disappeared?! That's amazing!!!"

We told the two of them what had just happened.

"That's so cool! I couldn't cross Angel Road this time either... They say if you cross this place holding hands with someone special, your wish comes true. I want a girlfriend!"

Takano-kun spread his arms wide and ran toward the water's edge.
Seeing that, I felt as if reality had returned to my feet from that mysterious place, and I felt a little relieved.
When I told them that only my wooden box hadn't been returned, they were both surprised.

"Huh?! Does that kind of thing happen too... I wonder if it takes a little time to repair?"

It was funny how Takano-kun said it like he was asking a local repair shop.


The last ferry leaving Fukuda Port departs at 7:30 PM. When I checked, it was 28 kilometers away from Angel Road. Fumi said,

"It said to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ferry's departure time if you're by car... and it's already 5:45 PM now... Wow, we don't have much time to spare.
I wanted to have a relaxing dinner somewhere, too. I missed out on eating seafood!"

He said, clutching his head in frustration.

"How about eating on the ferry? Oh, but if it's a late flight, the shops inside might be closed... The udon I had when I came here was really delicious, though."

Takano-kun said.

"It seems like there will be time to shop on the way, so how about bringing a bento or something onto the ferry?"

Sayama-san told us about a nearby supermarket, so we decided to buy things there.

"Sayama-san, thank you so much! I will definitely come to your cafe next time."

Fumi bowed her head, and I also expressed my thanks.

"Please do. I'm sure there were still places you couldn't visit, right?"

"That's right! This is my second time in Shodoshima, but I couldn't go to the Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village, and the valley too..."

"They say that the purpose of a trip is better served if there's something you couldn't fulfill, so you can come back to that place again. Please stay at our place next time. My wife and children will be happy too. Keita, you come back too."

It's better to have some unfinished business so you can come back. I was happy that I had so much unfinished business in Shodoshima.
Mr. Sayama got into his white light car, honked the horn lightly, and drove away.

"I'm heading back from Tonosho Port, so I guess this is where we part ways..."

Takano-kun said, looking disappointed.

"Thanks to you, Takano-kun, I was able to find the counter. You came all the way to Shodoshima for this, and you helped me so much... thank you so much."

I told him from the bottom of my heart.

"Really! I can't thank you enough. Oh, and sorry for treating you like a suspicious person at first!"

Kazumi put her hands together as if praying, and Takano-kun laughed.

"Geez. I was shocked, you know. ...But I'm glad both of you were able to deposit your fragile items. Since your box was accepted, Haru-san, it will surely come back to you soon. I'm the one who should be thanking you for giving me a reason to come to Shodoshima. It was fun. Thank you!"

"Thank you so much! I'll definitely keep in touch."

The sun began to set little by little.
Takano-kun straddled his motorcycle, waved his hand broadly, and rode off. After his figure disappeared and the sound of his motorcycle engine could no longer be heard, we got into the car and departed.

＊

At 7:30 PM, I look out from the ferry deck at Fukuda Port on Shodoshima, which has already turned completely dark.
Just like on the way there, the ramp lifted right on time on the way back, and we set sail from the steel gate that looks like a red torii gate.
The difference from the way there is that Fumi is by my side.
Both of us are silent, staring straight at the silhouette of the island. Shodoshima, with the sun completely set, is dark, and only the port area is shining brightly.

What an intense day it was. I feel like I left the hotel in Himeji this morning, but it feels like it happened days ago. Come to think of it, it was a trip filled with laughter. It's funny that it was the exact opposite of my goal.
When I came, I was lonely and had nothing but a small wooden box, but on the way back, I have more than I can carry.
Even though nothing has changed on my outside, I felt as if only my insides had been replaced.

Both Fumi and I remained silent, watching the silhouette of the island as it grew more and more distant.
The wake left by the ferry remains for longer than I thought. The white path drawing a curve from the port connected Shodoshima and the ferry we were on in the darkness.
I thought I would stay on the deck as long as I could still see the yagura, the symbol of Fukuda Port, but once the sun went down, it was indeed cold on the sea in March, so we retreated inside the ship early.

There were rows of facing seats with tables by the window, so I put my luggage on one of them.
In the center, there are carpeted spaces where you can lie down, as well as benches and tables facing the direction of travel. The TV was on, but there were few passengers, and almost no one was watching it.

We spread out the bento boxes we bought at a supermarket on the way. It was pitch black outside, and I brought my face close to the window wanting to see the sea, but I could see almost nothing.

I had omurice, but Fumi had a relatively runny curry rice, so she spilled a little and wiped it up in a panic, and we laughed even at that.
If we stayed silent, I felt like the lonely feelings would win, so I laughed whenever I found something funny. Perhaps Fumi was the same.
While watching the TV, which sometimes lost its signal and went blank, time passed in the blink of an eye.

The ferry arrived at Himeji Port on schedule around 9:10 PM. Fumi was going to stay at a friend's house nearby, so she took a slight detour and dropped me off in front of the hotel where I was staying.

We just said the usual words of thanks and parted ways easily.
I had a sort of conviction that we would meet again, and perhaps it was because I was nervous somewhere in my heart about what would happen after the "fragile item" was fixed and returned.

***

I returned to Tokyo and my daily life, but there was no contact from Kyohei, and the squirrel figurine was not returned either.
Every time I felt a chill thinking that everything on Shodoshima, including Fumi, Takano-kun, and Sayama-san, might have been my delusion, I couldn't help but look at the photos I took with my smartphone to confirm that it really happened.

I was spending my days as usual at the kindergarten where I work, but one day, a letter arrived at the school. It was from the parent of a child who graduated last year.
That mother, Ms. Watanabe, was not the social type, and she seemed to be isolated from the other parents, so she was someone I always kept an eye on.

The letter wrote that whenever Haru-sensei met me, she would always talk to me, the parent, and that made me very happy. Even so, I didn't know how to talk to her, so I always ended up acting cold.

[Thanks to Haru-sensei, both my son and I have memories of kindergarten filled with fun things. I am truly glad that you were his homeroom teacher. I apologize for the late thank you. Thank you very much.
(By the way, my son's first love is Haru-sensei.)]

The letter ended like this.
At the time, I didn't get much of a response even when I spoke to her, so I was surprised because I thought I had tried my best but ended up graduating without being trusted.
That's why I was even happier, and I held the letter to my chest and whispered, "Thank you, too."

It is a rule to report letters from parents to teachers to the principal, so I had her read it in the staff room in the evening.
The principal is a woman in her fifties, a veteran childcare worker who is trusted by the staff.

"Haru-sensei, you may sometimes look unreliable, but you look at the children's personalities and the parents with great care, don't you? I'm happy that it reached Ms. Watanabe as well.
Come to think of it, Aoi-sensei from the Hiyoko class told me the other day that when Taa-kun in her class had a tantrum and she couldn't do anything about it, you casually followed up for her, Haru-sensei. She said that when she, as a senior, is anxious, you notice it and call out to her right away."

"But... but I'm the head teacher, yet I'm not... quick or efficient... Aoi-sensei notices things quickly and moves around, and I always feel sorry about it..."

"It's true that you sometimes fumble and it takes time. You even lose at dodgeball with the seniors."

The principal laughed, "Hahaha."

"Well, you can leave the quick work to the assistant teachers... but Haru-sensei, you're too considerate and not very good at relying on those around you. You need to work on asking for help.
So, why don't we say you're in charge of being thorough? Being thorough is something not everyone can do, you know."

I'm counting on you from now on, the director said, patting my shoulder before leaving the staff room.
If it were the old me, I would have wondered if she really meant it even after being praised, but I felt like she had truly seen me, and I was so happy it made my chest ache.

＊

Nearly four months had passed since the trip to Shodoshima.
At night, when I had just gotten out of the bath and was drying my hair, my phone rang.

It was Kyohei.

[Continues to Episode 14]

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