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　I was sitting in a new room in a distant city with a window open.

　On the desk, "Chuo-ku Monoshiri Encyclopedia", which can be seen on foot, remains the page open.

　I was staring at it faintly. Even at noon, I can't hear the melody of St. Luke's Chapel…Hey, while sighing.

　When I turned on the radio, a noise spilled out. It's still in line with 84.0. I want to feel the same with my feelings.…I think. The memory shows that town, and the only thing that hears is lonely and lonely…。

　I shrugged my shoulders and stood up. I'd like to make coffee too. And when I came back from the kitchen, there was a yellow one in the window frame.

　For a moment, I looked at my eyes.

“The little bird?”

　I will inadvertently spill the coffee I had.

"What are you doing?"

　And after I said it, I found that the yellow bird was laughing.

"I'm thirsty. Could you give me milk?”

　Say it.

　I was standing there with joy, nodding, filled my heart with joy.

　The yellow bird looked like he saw it for the first time.

"That's what book?"

　And come to me.

"It's a 'Chuo-ku Monoshiri Encyclopedia' that you can see on foot."

　I would like to introduce a special book, so I respond.

"Show me,"

"Good,"

　The yellow little bird went down a little and sat on the book.

　And one day we spoke these words.…。

"What?"

While saying, the yellow bird read out from 1 　in order of the walking course. It's as if a bird-chanjishin becomes a top and walks over Sugoroku.

　And so many years ago, in the same afternoon, the yellow little bird came to my room like this.

　The same page was opened this day. This is the page of walking courses in the Tsukiji and Akashicho areas.

"Anyone…？」

　While saying that, I will read one by one from the site of Shintomiza in 1 to the site of the 15 Shuyo Gakuen.

"Shin, Tomi, Za, and later…」

　②It is the birthplace of the shoe industry.

"Shoutsu, Gyou…」

　He said, looking up at me,

"Kagyo…」

　I tried to say it again with pride.

　It seems that the little bird remembered that I reluctantly told him that the yellow bird had read the wrong way before.

　I shake my shoulder and laugh.

　The yellow bird began to laugh like the same.

 

 

　Looking at me, the yellow little bird took me out.

　I will look for the tallest building in this town and go up.

　I found a tall office building. The top floor is open to the public, and there are large windows everywhere on the floor, so you can see it alone.

"Which is Chuo-ku?"

　I wander through the dark hallway, holding down my feelings.

　Isn't the yellow bird here? He said, standing in front of your window, and shook his eyes. And then…

"Ah! St Luke's Garden!"

　I could see only one of the twin towers.

　I am glad and cheered. He shook his face to the window and pointed to him. As the glass fades away.

"I was the tallest in Chuo-ku until Tokyo Midtown Yaesu was established in 2022. The St. Luke's Tower in the office building was 220.63 metres, and the residence building was 146.1 metres.”

“St Luke’s Garden is expensive!”

　I'm totally impressed.

　No matter where I was walking in Chuo-ku, I thought that if I looked for St Luke's Garden, I would be able to return home. It was a symbol in me.

　St Luke's Garden, which can be seen from here, was dissolving in the small and hollow sky, with a statue. Still, you can't make a mistake of my favorite St Luke's Garden.

"Is that? Maybe it's River City 21 in Tsukuda?"

　I still tell you to suck. However, among the many high-rise apartments, only one was seen.

　Tsukuda is an island built by fishermen in Tsukuda-mura, Nishinari-gun, Settsu Province, who descended to Edo in connection with Ieyasu Tokugawa. For generations, white fish fishing, which has been dedicated to offering white fish for generations, and from midwinter to early spring, is a feature and is depicted in many Nishiki-e paintings.

　Now, the contrast between the townscape that remains from Edo and the modern high-rise apartments attracts visitors.

"Surely, the Sumida River is flowing below that."

　While saying that, I think about the Sumida River Terrace I walked many times. I think of the lovely scenery that I saw from there.

　But it was incredibly far away…。

　Nevertheless, I filled my heart with what my favorite Chuo-ku could see from here.

“If I could fly like a bird.…」

　And I'm going to complain.

`Ah,'

　Then the yellow bird turned around.

"I'll take the train."

　The yellow little bird can say,

“Did you get the train today?”

"Mochi. It’s not a very flying distance.”

　I said it.

　Then I went to the pier, too. I stood on a helicopter with water from Tokyo Bay in some factory, and looked at the other side of the wire mesh.

　Then he found a familiar building there.

"That's Harumi, isn't it?"

　And I say to myself.

"Yes, Harumi,"

　And the yellow little bird nodded at all.

　I'll be sucked up again.

“If not even this fence.…」

　I said so, grabbing the wire net.

　And then the yellow bird blew it out.

"What's wrong?"

　I have an ugly face.

　The yellow little bird was silent for a while, but he looked back at me.…。

　And very slowly, I said.

“See, you’re there, right?”

　To.

　I don't understand the meaning, and I look back at the yellow little bird.

　And the little bird said again.

“See, you’re there, right?”

　To.

"Yes…」

　I nodded awkwardly.

"Isn't it near?"

"Oh?"

“Because you see what you see.”

「…」

　I cut my eyes. And…。

　I laugh from nowhere.

　I shook my shoulder with my eyes and eyes, swayed my shoulders, and I was somehow irrelevant. But for some reason, there were tears. Was it because I laughed too much, or was the love for Chuo-ku, which was accumulated in my chest overflowing?…。

"Hey, little bird."

　After a laugh, I’ll talk to the yellow little bird very seriously.

“Can I listen to the yellow bird today? That question… 」

　Don't listen to the birds at all.…Where did it come from? So, what are you doing? That's right. One day, the yellow bird said that. But today, the meaning of the question is different.

　The yellow bird looked at me,　

"Please,"

　Say it.

Where did the yellow bird come from?

"It's decided in Chuo-ku."

"Well, then…Why are you here?"

　The yellow little bird blinks once,

"I have come to pick you up."

　I said.

"The little bird…」

 

　After that, I and the yellow little bird sat down on the wall and looked beyond the sea forever. As if the waves are playing a melody, while dying at dusk…。

"Harumi is always a bridge to the future."

"At first, it was called Tsukishima No. 4 landfill."

“Yes, the landfill was completed in 1931.”

　A town named with the desire to always see a clear sea.

“There was a visionary Olympics.”

"Hey…In 1940. That year, the Japan World Exposition was also scheduled. Kachidokibashi was supposed to be its main gate…。 None of them were able to fight for war.”

"Kachidokibashi is also bitter.…Even if it looks like that.”

"There are many things,"

「…But"

　I slap my hands as I noticed.

"At the next 2020 tournament, Kachidokibashi made his dream come true. Because from Harumi's athlete village, players from all over the world crossed Kachidokibashi to the competition venue. I dream of becoming the main gate!"

"That's true,"

　And the yellow bird smiles.

“You have awakened from a long sleep.”

“I’ve waited 80 years from dreaming until it came true.”

“Is that the world peace?”

"Yes, right?…」

　We think of the bridge beyond that view.

“But you were waiting.…」

　And the yellow bird says.

“Maybe he wasn’t waiting, he kept turning.…。 You probably know this town. If you keep running without turning, time will surely come again.…」

“Is this path leading to a good future?”

`I'm sure…You should go where you should go.”

`And then…」

　I look at the distant sky,

"You just turn around, don't you?…」

　I cried.

　It seemed like an ale to me, like a yellow bird.

　"You should still have homework in Chuo-ku."

　And the yellow little bird said quietly. And then I will smile at me.

　When I nodded, I felt the spirit was coming back in my body.

“Of course, that’s enough!”

　I said so, and I drew a large mountain with both hands.

"It's about Fujizuka of Tepposhu Inari Shrine."

　At the end of the day, the yellow bird says mischief.

"Yes?"

　And I think…I'm sorry that I couldn't remember how many meters the Fujizuka of Teppozu Inari Shrine was. This is something that is likely to be presented in the Chuo-ku Tourism Test.

　The yellow bird starts laughing,

"All the time, you're always thinking about Chuo-ku."

　I say.

"There's a new street on the nickname road in Chuo-ku."

"Oh, really?"

"The route of the Edo bus has changed."

"Oh, really?"

“Your favorite path.…」

　Take a breath and watch the yellow little bird.

"Nothing will change,"

"Wow!"

　I'm just a little bit relieved.

“Because you look a little while, the city is changing more and more.”

`I have to look at it.…」

“Yes, what you see and what you cannot see, both.”

"Yes,"

　Things that change, things that do not change…。

　At any time, I want to be such a glittering feeling like meeting Chuo-ku for the first time.

“There are a lot of spring events.”

　amazake Yokocho Sakura Festival, Nihonbashi Sakura Festival, Spring famous Nihonbashi Festival, Tokyo Art Antique.

"This year, I want to go to the Okanonji Flower Festival!"

"You are famous confectionery in Ningyocho, aren't you?"

　And the yellow bird makes her eyes thin.

"No! I want to celebrate Historical Buddha’s birthday.…」

　We look at each other and laugh at each other.

"Let's walk the Sumida River Terrace"

'Mochi'

"Let's listen to the melody of St. Luke's Chapel."

"Mochimochi"

`and then…」

　I'm afraid,

"I have to go to see how many meters the Fujizuka of Teppozu Inari Shrine was!"

　And then the yellow bird laughed.

"Let's go, to Chuo-ku."

"Yes, let's go!"

　I smiled and nodded.

　Soon, the buds of cherry blossoms will begin to fall.

　The spring Chuo-ku is full of excitement.

 

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Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent Minato-chan
No. 237 February 15, 2025