COLLECTION 03

I do not know where it was, but it seemed to be a city in Asia, or Europe. Anyway, this story is about one of the modern megalopolises in contemporary society.

∉

I am in a hotel.
Whenever I create something, I leave where I am and go to a space where no one knows me.
In a modern architectural interior, I imagine people who have spent time in the same place in the past.

I head to the lounge during the time between day and night when the light still shines through the windows. From somewhere, I can faintly hear Erik Satie's piano. But I don't know when it started or when it will end. A pale greenish space of light catches my eye in the corner of the lounge. Bags are lined up there.
The golden chains attached to the bag's handles reflect the greenish room light. The reflected beads of light are cast on the leather as round shadows. I looked into the chain and saw my reflection on its golden curved surface. The figure appears to be a complete stranger.
In the room stands a person who looks somewhat like me.
They look older than me, but their detailed gestures resemble mine.
"You will be using that bag for a long time."
As they passed each other, they left with those words.
His voice sounded like my own.
The man wore a golden chain like a bracelet.
ed into the store from the outside and saw a strange-looking clerk dressed in black. The clerk smiled at her. She could not tell the gender or age of the clerk, but she thought the black-dressed clerk looked very attractive. She walked into the store with some curiosity.

∉

Ten years later, I revisited the hotel to write a new story.
I carried the bag and wore the chain bracelet on my arm.
The hotel lounge still existed, surrounded by a pale green light.
As I entered the space, I saw someone who looked exactly like myself looking at the bag.
It was unmistakably 《Myself》.
After staring at the bracelet on my arm, I said, "You will be using that bag for a long time."

∉

I will soon finish my novel.