Shadows of the Past, Echoes of the Future The New Year’s bustle had finally settled, and the city was returning to its usual rhythm. Driving through the streets, I continued my rounds of slightly belated New Year’s greetings. “Happy New Year. I look forward to working with you again this year.” Repeating the same formal greeting over and over, my voice began to sound robotic, even to myself. When had it started to feel this way? When had the words spoken aloud become disconnected from the voice within? After completing my appointments, I found myself with some extra time. But […]
A Subtle Wave of Unease The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the classroom windows, blending with the post-lunch drowsiness that crept into the room. It was that time of day when staying awake during lessons felt like a battle against the inevitable. The teacher’s voice faded into a distant hum, and my gaze, fixed on my notebook, began to blur. In the twilight between wakefulness and sleep, the lines between reality and dreams began to dissolve. The teacher’s voice, so far away, transformed into my own, older and somehow familiar. It echoed with a strange sense of […]
A Future Woven by Trust and Gratitude “Hey, hey! Listen to this!” She started talking excitedly over the phone, her words tumbling out in a rush. It was a habit of hers, though tonight, something about her tone felt different. “I have some amazing news!” “Oh, really? What happened?” “You know that project I’ve been working on since autumn? The one I’ve been complaining about because I had to deal with my annoying boss all the time? Well, it turns out it’s been getting some incredible feedback!” “Wow, that’s fantastic! Congratulations! You worked so hard for this.” “Yeah, it wasn’t […]
The Circulation of Trust and Abundance The apartment building came into view as the surrounding area was already cloaked in darkness. As the year-end approached, the days seemed to grow shorter, with night falling more quickly than usual. I approached the mailboxes near the entrance, a place I honestly preferred to avoid, especially at the end of the month. Tentatively, I opened the small door to my mailbox, finding just one envelope inside. Glancing at the addressee, I saw it was a credit card bill. “Ah, it’s here after all…” Last month, my oil heater had suddenly broken down, and […]
The Invisible Distance That Reveals True Connection While having a late dinner, I found myself sitting absentmindedly in front of the TV. On the screen, a group of comedians were making a lively racket on some variety show. Although my eyes were fixed on the screen, none of it was registering in my mind—the sound merely blended into the background of my small apartment. Dinner these days was always the same—a convenience store bento. It wasn’t particularly satisfying or memorable, and I ate it mechanically, one bite at a time. By the time I finished, I was left with a […]
“Insights Beyond Anxiety” On my way home from work, I happened to look up and saw a pale full moon floating in the sky. In the bright daylight sky, the moon shone quietly. Unlike the night moon, it exuded a certain mystique, evoking a calm serenity. If today’s business deal went through, it would bring a long-awaited sense of relief—a sale that would ease my anxiety as a freelancer. But for the past few months, nothing had worked out. Anxiety kept flooding my heart, leaving a heavy and restless feeling deep inside me that I couldn’t shake. As I gazed […]