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Author: Ukari

To say here is far, and to call yonder nearby. Stories on the edge of the every day, strange tales you may or may not be moved by. Strange, curious, fantastic stories told by me, you, him and her. There are many stories but they’re all concluded within a single page, each story around 200 to 1200 characters in length, a short story collection you can easily read. Please enjoy them. Updated every Saturday at 6pm.

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The weight of the supermarket bags in each hand pulled me down. I accidentally bought just a bit much because my husband said he would come and pick me up in the car after.

‘Just a little further!’ I screamed inside until finally I reached the park where we agreed to meet. I looked around, trying to regain my breath, but I couldn’t see my husband’s car anywhere. It appeared I was a little early.

Oh well. I could sit down and have a short rest instead. If he didn’t come after that, I’d call.

“Please.”

As soon as I was done thinking it, I heard a voice. A high school girl in uniform was sitting on the nearby bench. I didn’t even notice her. Perhaps hesitant at my surprise, the girl put the paperback she was reading away and stood up.

“Please,” she said again. “You’re waiting for someone, right? Those bags look pretty heavy, I don’t think you want to move them again.”

I was looking around restlessly since I got there, it didn’t take a genius to guess I was probably looking for someone. Still, it struck me how smart the girl was.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all.”

The girl smiled shyly as she bowed in return. I shook my head as I watched the girl walk away. Oh dear, I really shouldn’t lump all kids together, that was rude.

I continued to watch her as she left. Even to me, a woman, I was struck by her beauty as she held her head high. Not only that, but she was kind and sincere as well. No doubt about it, she had to be one of the most popular kids at school. When my husband arrived I would tell him all about her. With a few small embellishments, of course.

I was in high spirits when my husband finally arrived.

“What on earth are you doing?” he said. He looked at me, sitting on the bench, and grimaced. “That bench has just been freshly painted!”

Original Japanese