Fukuyama Masaharu の Heart

 

I was away from Japan for a few days, what did I do?
Actually, I went to 3 countries, if you include transit, then it adds upto 5. First Rome, it was for work. As for what, I can’t disclose it yet. I stayed in Italy for 5 days, then went to Rumania.

Why did I have to go there? it was because of the Act Against Aids (AAA) activity organised by Amuse, of course the organisers included other groups as well.  Since the 1993 AAA was established, all funds collected were donated to Rumania, to facilities looking after children orphaned by Aids or having Aids. To see these children, I went there twice in 1996. Of course, I also wanted to see how the funds were put to use. 13 years have since passed. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to go to Europe, but this time I thought I’d go back to have a look.

Unfortunately, some of the children have already passed away. But for the others, their lives have changed greatly: some have entered society, going to school or work. Some have even gotten engaged. I heard that a girl I had met (in the previous trips) was recently engaged, so I thought, if I could, I really wanted to give her my congratulations. It was later that I found out, she still remembers me and has come to Japan many times. So I wanted to see her.

After that, I flew to Tasmania. Even though both places shared the same ending “-mania”, they were very far apart. From Rumania, I went on through Istanbul, Singapore, Melbourne, before finally reaching Tasmania. I spent almost 2 days to get there! I didn’t go sight-seeing or get a room in any of these places. Sometimes I had 2 to 3 hours in transit , but most of the time was spent on the plane. Just like in Japan, there are places to shower in the airports overseas. I felt particularly refreshed after my shower in Singapore! Since I’d been travelling a whole day without cleaning up, I smelled…..it was my odor, especially around the collar. But it wasn’t just my own smell, it included everybody else’ from around the world who had sat on my seats before me!

Another thing was that I couldn’t tell whether it was day or night during the trip. To have such a time when there was nothing to do, nothing you could do, nobody to be able to find you…. it felt great! I didn’t bother to note what the time was. When I’m in Tokyo, I had to look out for everything, I’m that type of person. I didn’t like it if I (anything) was late, I had to look closely into whatever was on hand, I’d feel compelled to find something to do.   

However, I did get caught in one place. When I was in Rumania, I actually bumped into my mother! How she got to Rumania, I don’t know, but she was in a restaurant. When I thought I wanted to go eat, there she was! It would have made more sense if she was just sitting in the restaurant, but she was in the kitchen of a Rumanian restaurant, cooking Japanese food.

Or rather, it was more like Mum’s Home Cooking! Using local Rumanian materials to make Japanese style dishes. That felt weird! The chef was there, but Mother who had almost never gone overseas, Mother who should be in Japan, was there in the kitchen making dinner (laugh)…..making hotpot…..chicken hotpot. That was really weird!

She just appeared from the kitchen carrying the hotpot! I was shocked, but when I saw her face with “Well, gave you a fright, didn’t I?” written all over it, I just gave her a “Huh?!” response. She was so smug at that time (big laugh)! And I thought you didn’t have to look so self-satisfied (laugh)!

Well…..as long as she’s happy, it’s fine (big laugh)…..such a headache! Actually, I’m not very used to this way of celebrating, even when I was young. I really don’t know how to respond. If you want me to shout out: “Thank you Mum~~” and give her a big hug, I’d never ever do that! (with an “I’d rather die” tone) There is no way I’m can hug her! Even though I came out from her body, I just cannot do it! (big laugh) Before I was in my mother’s body, but now, if you want me to be one with her in a hug, I cannot!

I’m really happy, what she did, I’m really happy. I just don’t know how to react, that’s all.

~ The End ~

Translated from Fukuyama Honne (Article 4188)
This English translation was first posted on MashaPlus [dot] Info Forums. (Registration required to enter.)