【TESEN-NOVEL Vol.16】 I can’t say “nice to meet you”

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2022/06/03

This is SHU, the management staff of Osaka Share House.

I work in a share house, and I’m writing a series of novels at my leisure.

“What kind of place is a share house? “What kind of life can I expect?

I’m writing this novel for those who are wondering.

It’s a fictionalized version of non-fiction.

Would you like to take a look at life in a share house with me?

I hope that the wonderful things that happen in a share house will reach as many people as possible.

I hope to bring a rich life to as many people as possible.

｜Previously…

- 【TESEN-NOVEL Vol.15】The Man Who Picks Up Cherry Blossoms

“Hallo~!”

I hear cheerful English coming from the living room this morning.

With the recent easing of immigration restrictions for foreigners, the share house where I live has quickly become multinational.

For 24 years, I have never left Japan.

Somehow, I had assumed that I would continue to live in Japan.

However, watching them, I often learn about the vastness of the world.

They spend hours flying to Japan, an island nation.

Their tremendous energy makes me look so small.

I can’t even speak English, so I can only say “hello” and “yes” with a wry smile on my face.

I feel somewhat embarrassed when I speak English.

I am not sure if my English is really right or wrong.

However, I feel a sense of happiness when my thoughts and feelings are conveyed to others, which I don’t feel in my native language.

I try my best to use Google Translate, show them images, and communicate with unique gestures.

When speaking in Japanese, I often abbreviate the subject or try to convey the message in a straightforward manner, ending the conversation too easily.

That is convenient, but sometimes somewhat lonely.

I am happy. Happy. Sad. I miss you.

Perhaps we have forgotten as we grow older to express our joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure straight to others.

Sometimes, in relation to bushido, it is considered a virtue not to show one’s emotions.

It occurred to me that this virtue may sometimes turn out to be a bad thing, as it is not conveyed to the other person.

I couldn’t say nice meet you, which I thought I had learned in school.

I knew it was a phrase you say to someone you meet for the first time, but I didn’t know when to say it.

But recently I’ve come to realize that it’s not the timing.

I’m really glad I met you! I’m looking forward to working with you from now on! I just need to say it when I want to say it.

That reminds me of when I first came to this share house.

I was very nervous on my first day, but someone approached me and said, “Are you a new resident today?

Is it someone who’s moving in today? Yay! I was really looking forward to meeting you!

Is this your first time in Osaka? Let’s go to many places together from now on!”

It’s not the same distance as when you meet someone for the first time.

But it was very comfortable.

It was as if we had been friends forever.

In her words, I could sense that she was sincerely happy that I had moved in.

I vividly remember that my nervousness and anxiety disappeared after that conversation.

In everyday life, I have a certain amount of phrases I say to people I meet for the first time.

I would say, “It’s nice to meet you from today. and a little bow would be the standard form.

But this share house is different.

“You’re moving in today? Do you want to go to karaoke with me right now?”

“Are you free tonight? Can we eat Takoyaki?”

From the very first day, there is an atmosphere and people who do their best to accept new friends.

No honorifics. No bad intentions. No back and forth.

Always accepting someone.

There are people who do what seems easy and difficult with ease.

Continues…

｜Previously…

Shuhei

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I found myself up to episode 16 of the TESEN novel. I write on a whim, so my update times vary, but I’m really happy to hear from a surprisingly large number of people who encourage me by saying, “I’m actually reading this! Please look forward to Episode 17.