(Short-Short) Thank You for 0 Yen

Once upon a time, a certain fast-food restaurant displayed a sign that read 'Smile: 0 Yen'.

As if to counter that, a convenience store chain launched a campaign called 'Thank You: 0 Yen'.

'Since gratitude is free, let's express it more and more.'

That concept, ironically, ended up causing the value of words to plummet.

The streets were flooded with people indiscriminately tossing around empty 'thank yous'.

There were those who would leave the register after saying only a word of thanks without buying anything, or nuisance callers who would just repeat 'thank you' before hanging up the phone.

Because the hurdle for putting things into words had become too low, people forgot the virtue of silence and began to verbalize and consume everything, even things that didn't need to be said.

There was also no end to customers who would mindlessly demand, 'It's a 0-yen smile, so smile for me.'

Originally, that was supposed to be the embodiment of the store's pride—a stance of hospitality—in 'always welcoming customers with a smile'.

The clerk offers a smile, and the customer naturally feels a sense of gratitude in return.

I feel as though that natural exchange of hearts has somehow degenerated into a dry transaction of 'free products'.

Today, I head to the register again.

As I finish paying and receive my items, I look the clerk in the eye and say quietly.

'Thank you.'

It is not because I was pushed by a campaign.

It is not something forced upon me by anyone.

Only those who want to say it should deliver the warmth that wells up in their hearts just as it is.

That is because I believe that is the true form of words.

Hoping that my small word would be received not as a cheap, free product, but as a piece of 'sincerity,' I left the store.

The End.

*This story is a work of fiction.
The people and things that appear do not exist.
There is no such campaign as 'Thank You 0 Yen'.

↑I participated in this project.
Thank you very much.