Recently, it seems that my child has grown up a bit.
Family's training, part-time job, party, all kinds of things...
It is common for the preparations for meals to extend beyond 9 PM.
In such times, it's my time for dinner and a quiet drink by myself.
This was a restaurant I had bookmarked. I visited after 5 PM on a weekday, and I got a table inside.
Sitting at the counter, I ordered a Hibールブル. Then, I stared intently at the menu.
The skewered dishes come with a set of three pieces. The set costs 480 yen for four pieces, allowing me to have two pieces of each dish. So, I choose the salt and sauce as my seasoning. Additionally, I order braised meat and shiru-oyoshimi.
The restaurant is empty except for me. The news channel is playing on the TV.
I, who have poor manners, drink alcohol while holding my smartphone in one hand.
The skewered dishes were cooked just right, with a delicious seasoning. The miso-flavored braised dishes were also very to my liking.
The shirasu oroshi at this restaurant is distinctive. It resembles a piece of radish cut into thin strips. Rather than being simply radish oroshi, it resembles a radish salad. It was very satisfying to eat and tasted delicious.
When you look at your smartphone or a book, or when something brings back memories and makes you want to laugh, and there are people around you, do you really think there's anyone in the world who can laugh openly, alone?
For example, when it comes to the act of “crying,” it seems that one can use a handkerchief to hold back tears at the eyes, or even pretend to have rhinitis when there is a tendency to shed nasal mucus.
What should be done if this is "laughter"?
If it can help me calm down, then it's reasonable to take my eyes off the object that makes me laugh and focus my mind.
ハイボール→バイスサワー×2→赤霧島ロック…一人で楽しく飲んでいたわたしは、この時すっかり酔いが回ってしまい、対象物を見ながらクスクス笑うのも恥ずかしいので、ずっとにやにやしている状態だった。
As if trying to deceive laughter, occasionally interspersing dry coughs.
The person at the restaurant, the disgusting woman who is sitting alone on the counter and looking gloomy—that person is me.
Thank you for your hospitality.
［タイトルは敬愛する筒井康隆氏より一部拝借］
