October 9, 2022, in the morning, our eyes met by chance.
They were always in my sight, but I hadn't made eye contact with them for years—a pair of boots.
Perhaps I wanted a bit of a fresh feeling, or maybe it was just a whim...
I gently took off the Paraboot shoes I had intended to wear that day, slipped my feet into those boots, and slowly and carefully tied the laces.
While tying the laces, I recalled the day I bought them.
How, as a student, I visited STEPS in Shimokitazawa with a friend, wanting a good pair of leather shoes.
I think they were on sale for about 35,000 yen...
Things like that.
On the way to the station, I was steeped in nostalgia,
and the KF radio playing through my earphones didn't register at all.
On the way home after buying these shoes, I remember feeling a bit swaggering.
It was a similar feeling to how you feel stronger after watching a delinquent movie, perhaps?
I wondered if my friend living in Niigata was doing well.
Thinking about such things, I took a commemorative photo of my feet on the station platform.
And without much thought,
along with the photo I took,
"How are you doing?"
I sent it to my friend.
I wasn't even bothered by the usual annoying train delays.
By the time I arrived in Kichijoji, I had a reply,
and after exchanging a few messages, we made plans for an online drinking session.
Thinking about it, I had been conscious of "people connecting objects,"
but I hadn't been conscious of "objects connecting people."
This morning's event felt good to me,
and I vaguely pondered it while drinking coffee in the short time before work.
"People connecting objects"
Close friends, admired sales associates, mentors in life.
Things filtered through someone else,
then filtered through my own perspective.
It feels like you chose it yourself, but you didn't choose it alone.
Everyone has such experiences when choosing things.
That's also part of individuality, and I find it interesting and wonderful how various people are involved in enriching oneself.
And "objects connecting people."
If my eyes hadn't met those boots that morning,
I don't think I would have contacted that friend and made plans recently.
Perhaps dressing up is just one aspect (the surface) of an object's function,
and the object itself might have another function (side) unique to its owner.
Feeling that way, I couldn't sit still and contacted a few people who had played a part in my story with those boots.
My senior who used to tease me, a novice at the time, saying, "You walk like a baby," because of the mysterious squeaking sound those boots made with every step.
And the person who sold me those boots, with whom I occasionally kept in touch but had grown distant recently.
When I opened LINE, I realized I hadn't contacted them in two or even five years.
Everyone was living entirely different lives than back then,
but it was a relief to know they were all doing well.
And I was once again grateful for having "objects that connect us."
The value of boots that haven't been worn for years varies from person to person.
Looking only at the surface, I often think their role is largely fulfilled.
Nevertheless, for me, they are valuable boots that can connect me with several people.
It's not just about these boots, and it probably largely depends on the whim of the moment, but I felt it was okay to have that kind of attitude that day.
This is why I can't declutter. lol
"People connect objects, and objects connect people."
I hope we can repeatedly offer this "connection" to as many customers as possible.
Until next time.
