【Short Story】Stroll

I had ChatGPT translate a short story I wrote in Japanese, and made some additions and corrections. The original Japanese story is here.

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"Just walking, is that all?"

"Yes."

Being Disappointed, I stared at my wife, who nodded with a smile.

"Isn't there anything else? Like going to a hot spring or wanting something specific?"

"No. If you go for a walk with me, that's enough."

Certainly, my sons had planned a hot spring trip for next month, in line with our golden wedding anniversary. However, I wanted to do something for my wife, who I had been with for many years. But it seemed she just wanted to take a walk. Did that mean she had no specific expectations from me?

"Well, if that's all, we can go right now."

"Oh my, I'm delighted."

My wife left, saying she would change, and soon returned in slightly brighter-colored clothes, neatly combed hair, and even applied lipstick.

"Hey, it's just a walk."

I muttered in amazement, but my wife tied a loop tie around my neck and put a hat on me. I refused when she tried to hand me a cane, as it was something my daughter had bought for me when I broke a bone in my leg at the end of last year. The design was nice, but I hadn't used it because walking with a cane felt embarrassingly elderly.

"Oh, well. Can I borrow it then?"

My wife happily swung the cane and left the house.

Walking side by side, she took my arm. I instinctively looked around, but there seemed to be no one watching us. Rather than shaking her off, I matched my pace with hers.

When we reached the nearby park, we sat on a bench. I've spent seventy-eight years here, but the park has changed completely from my childhood. Back then, it was just an open field, and around the age of ten, horizontal bars and swings were added. Now, the bars are brightly colored, swings are gone, and there's a large play structure with a confusing way of playing. My wife quietly listened to my stories of the past, and when I mentioned the swings, she informed me that they were there until just recently.

We walked towards the shopping street side by side. This scenery hasn't changed since the old days. There's a large supermarket if you drive twenty minutes by car, but I rarely go there. I remember walking through this shopping street holding hands with my mother a long time ago.

"Ah, Asano-san! This is rare. You two together. Is it a date? How enviable!"

The owner of the fish store shouted loudly upon seeing us. I unconsciously let go of my wife's hand, turned my face away, and moved away from the shop. My wife didn't seem to mind and approached the fish store.

"Hello, Miyamoto-san. You're looking good today as well."

"That's because I see your face. It cheers me up. Are you coming back from an outing today?"

"We just took a little stroll around the neighborhood."

"Well, that's wonderful. On a nice day like this, a walk is the best. So, what are you looking for today? Sardines, sea bass, or perhaps some fresh anchovies. Also, it's a bit early for the season, but this sea bream is recommended."

"Well, that's splendid. It's a celebration today, so let's go with the sea bream."

"Celebration?"

"We're having our golden wedding anniversary next month. So, today is a pre-celebration."

"Oh, that's a joyous occasion! Hey, Ryoma! Get this for them."

A young man in an apron emerged from the back, bowed his head to my wife, grabbed the sea bream, and took it to the back. While Mr. Miyamoto explained how to cook it, the sea bream returned in a bag. My wife, who held the fish bag, came back to me with a smile, saying, "Thank you for waiting."

"Could you hold this for me? It's in the way of shopping."

She handed me the cane, and we continued cheerfully walking through the shopping street. Supporting my tired and achy legs with the cane, I spoke to my wife.

"You seem to get along well with the fishmonger."

She stopped, looked up at me with wide eyes, and covered her bright-colored lips with her hand, chuckling softly. The way she laughed was different from usual, and it stirred something inside me.

"I come here almost every day. When we see each other every day, everyone in the shopping street becomes like family."

She took my arm, and we resumed walking. Shortly after, the greengrocer's wife spoke to us.

"Toshiko-san! what's going on today? It's nice to see you two together. Is it a date?"

"Hi, Kayo-chan. Yes, that's right. We took a little walk around here today."

"Well, that's lovely. I wish mine would learn a bit from you. ...Well, I don't want to walk together though."

They both raised their voices and laughed merrily. My wife, laughing with her mouth wide open, looked like a different person. No, when she was young, she used to laugh like this. Even after the children got married and we lived alone together, my wife never stopped smiling. But she never laughed like this.

I watched my wife chatting with the greengrocer's wife while my leg, tired and throbbing, struggled with the cane. My wife, who had spent fifty years in this neighborhood after getting married, was more of a local than I, who had spent seventy-eight years here.

"Shall we go back?"

Before I knew it, my wife had returned. I took the bag of vegetables from her without saying a word. She looked surprised and immediately said, "Thank you."

When we got home and sat on the usual sofa, I quickly dozed off. The next time I was spoken to, it was already dim outside the window.

In the center of the dining table was a large salt-grilled sea bream, chilled tomatoes, pickled eggplant and cucumber, and warm miso soup.

As I sat at the dining table, I spoke to my wife. When I looked up and our eyes met, I suddenly choked on my words. Although I could clear my throat, the crucial words of gratitude wouldn't come out. While my wife stared at me, not starting a conversation, she tilted her head slightly.

"Um, if it's just a walk, I'll accompany you again. The doctor also told me to walk more, after all."

She accepted the words I uttered stiffly with a soft smile.