寿司屋の暖簾をくぐり、カウンターに腰を下ろす。何を頼むか、迷うふりをしながらも心は決まっている。まずは蝦蛄（しゃこ）のにぎり。淡くくすんだ色合いと、ほどよい歯ごたえ。華やかではないが、静かな風格がある。蝦蛄を口に運んだ瞬間、ふっと肩の力が抜け、ようやく自分の時間が始まったような気がする。注文はただの所作ではない。ひとつの儀式だ。蝦蛄を頼むことで、自分の「日常」が少しだけ特別になる。そうして今夜もまた、ささやかな生の喜びが芽吹く。
I pass through the curtain of the sushi restaurant and sit down at the counter. He pretends to be at a loss as to what to order, but his mind is made up. The first dish is a nigiri of shakoriko (mantis shrimp). It has a pale, dusky color and a good texture. It is not glamorous, but it has a quiet elegance. As soon as I put the shakoriko in my mouth, my shoulders relax and I feel as if my time has finally begun. Ordering is not just a gesture. It is a ritual. Ordering shrimp makes my “everyday” a little more special. And so tonight, too, a small, raw joy sprouts.
