My partner is still on a two-week business trip.
This time, she is staying in San Francisco, in the US.

There is a 17-hour time difference between San Francisco and Japan.
Since San Francisco is so far behind, it is still the previous day there.

We talk on the phone twice a day. Once before she goes to sleep and once after she wakes up.

When she goes to bed at 12 a.m. in San Francisco (PST), it is 5 p.m. here in Japan (JST).
After our evening call, I wait for her morning to come. When she wakes up at 7 a.m., it is 12 a.m. for me, right before I go to bed.

I cherish our calls every evening and again before I sleep.
It is a unique lifestyle, but I am enjoying this routine!

My partner left for a two-week business trip this morning.
We are always together, even at work, so it feels really unusual.

I suddenly have a lot of time alone, and I feel a little bored.
So I started cleaning our room, even though she had already cleaned it before she left, and I also took a long bath.

But I am still bored… I didn’t realize how boring it would be without her.

Then I started thinking about how I usually spend my time.
When I thought about it, I realized that I usually just relax and don’t use my time very well when I am with her.

I want to be better for her. I want to use my time more wisely, both when I am with her and when I am alone.

Life is short, so I am going to try.

In 2026, the first book I read this year was “Running” (疾走) by Kiyoshi Shigematsu.
Actually, I’ve already read it more than 3 times, but I still want to read it again.

The story is deeply sad—even depressing.
Yet looking back, I felt hopeful because of Shuji, the main character.
His life was tragic, but it was also meaningful because he brought hope to the people around him.

Our lives aren’t always happy, but if we can bring something good to others, I think that’s worthwhile enough.

"Running" (疾走) by Kiyoshi Shigematsu

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