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<title>Episode 24 — “Listening to Bob Dylan” (Part 3)</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[
“Coffeeisbitter.”“...”Yasuhiroaddedmoremilkandstirreditaroundandaround.Then,seemingtopullhimselftogether,hecontinued....ItouchedmyheadseveraltimestomakesureIwasn’tbleeding,buttherewasnoredliquidonmypalm.Instead,abiglumphadformed.“Yasuhiro,areyouokay”ThemomentheheardtheslighttraceofmockeryinWatanabe’svoice,Yasuhirowascompletelyoverwhelmedbyanger.Beforeheknewit,hehadpunchedWatanabehardintheleftcheek.“Aah!”Agirlnearbyscreamed.Hearingthatonlymadehimpanicmore.HegrabbedWatanabebythecollarashefellbackwardandpunchedhimagain.Theatmospheresuddenlybecamechaotic,andYasuhirocametohissensesalittle.HequicklybackedawayfromWatanabe.Inthissituation,Watanabeobviouslylookedlikethevictim.Thegirlsrushedover,askingifhewasallrightandpressinghandkerchiefsagainsthisface.Yasuhirowasn’treallyoutofbreath,butbecausehefeltsoawkward,hewasbreathingheavilyasifhewereexhausted.Then,suddenly,aloudvoicecamefrombehindhim.“Whatareyoudoing!”ItwasTsukiyama,theclassrepresentative,standingbehindhim.Tsukiyamawasaloud,overbearinggirlwhowasn’tparticularlylikedbyeithertheboysorthegirls.Theteacherstrustedher,thoughshewasn’tespeciallygoodatacademics.Sometimes,whenteachershandedbacktests,theywouldannouncethescoresaloud.Yasuhirowasn’tgoodatstudying,andeverynowandthenateacherwouldtellhimhislowscoreandencourageorperhapsscoldhimtotryharder.Tsukiyamaoftenfoundherselfinthesamesituation.Wheneverthathappened,shewouldturnredwithembarrassmentandlowerherhead.Butatthatmoment,theclassrepresentativeseemedsomehowworsethananyteacher.“Didyoudothis,Yasuhiro”“...”“Isthatright”“Yeah!ButwhydoIhavetoanswertoyou!”Yasuhirofelthorriblyembarrassedandshouted.“WhatkindofattitudeisthatYoubeatsomeoneupandstillactlikeyou’retheoneincharge.That’sdisgusting.”“Hestartedit.Watanabedid.Andyou’retheoneactingallhighandmighty.”“IsthattrueDidWatanabestartit”SomeoneexplainedthatWatanabehadbeenhit,fallenagainstadesk,andthatYasuhirohadcontinuedattackinghim.“That’shorrible.Don’tyouunderstandthatyoucan’thitsomeonelikethatjustbecauseyou’rebiggerandstronger”Yasuhirosuddenlyfeltthatnoneofthestudentsaroundhimwereonhisside.“Someonesawit!Hehitmeontheheadwiththebroomfirst.Andtherewasagirlwhotoldyouguystostop,remember”Butnobodysaidanything.“Anyway,let’sgototheteachers’room.”Tsukiyamatookasteptowardhim.“...”“Let’sgo!”ShereachedforYasuhiro’sarm.“Leavemealone!”Ashetriedtoshakeherhandaway,Yasuhiro’srighthandstruckTsukiyamahardinthecheek.Hersmall,slenderbodywassentflyingontothefloor...
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260924060803/</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:08:00 +0900</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Episode 24 — “Listening to Bob Dylan” (Part 2)</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Yasuhirofinishedeverythinginnotimeandleanedbackinhischair,lookingsatisfied.“Hey,Yasuhiro.Coffee-shopchairsarebuilttobesturdy,butthey’realsodesignedwithcare.I’dliketothinkyoucanseethatjustbylookingatthem.Everycoffeeshopisthesame.Theownerputsalotofthoughtintothesethings.Understand”“Iunderstand.”“No,youdon’t.Someoneasbigasyoujustcasuallyleaningbacklikethatcouldbreakit.”“Oh.Isee.”“Yousee...You’vegottothinkaboutthings,youknow.Understand”“Iunderstand.”(No,youdon’t.)TheMasterwatchedtherestlessboyandthoughtthatperhapsheneededtostartwithteachingthekidafewmannersbeforeworryingaboutanythingelse.“Nowthatyou’veeaten,gohome.Yourmother’sworriedaboutyou.”“She’snot.ItoldherIwascominghere.”“Yousaidyouhadafightwithyourmotherandlefthome.”“Yeah.”“Oh”(Idon’tlikethephrase“kidsthesedays”...butstill...)Withawrysmile,theMasterpouredYasuhiroacupofcoffee.“Drinkthatandgohome.”Yasuhirosuddenlylookedunusuallyserious.Hetookasipofcoffeeandsaid,“Master,canItellyousomething”“What’swiththatseriousfaceItreallydoesn’tsuityou.”“Don’tmakefunofme,Master!”“I’mnotmakingfunofyou.”“Today...”WhatYasuhirotoldhimnextsomehowstrucktheMasterdeepinthechest.“Ithappenedalittlewhileago...”Yasuhirobeganspeakingwithasolemnexpressionthatseemedstrangelyoutofplaceonhim....Aboutthreemonthsearlier,oneday,Iwenttoschoolasusual.Itwasmyturntocleantheclassroom,soafterthefinalhomeroomIwassweepingthefloorwithabroom.ThenmygoodfriendWatanabestartedfoolingaroundwithme.“Hey,cutitout.”Atfirst,wewerejustmessingaround,laughingandpokingeachotherwithourbrooms.Normally,IwouldhavegonealloutfoolingaroundwithWatanabe,butthistimeIalsofeltlikeIshouldtellhimtostop.“Hey,seriously,cutitout.”IthinkIsaidsomethinglikethat....Idon’tthinkhediditonpurpose,butthebroomWatanabeswunghitYasuhirohardrightonthetopofthehead.Peoplesayyouseesparkswhenyougethitinthehead.Forasplitsecond,Yasuhiroactuallythought,Sothat’swhattheymean.“Hey,Yasuhiro.Youreallyareanidiot.Youokay”“Master,don’tinterruptme.”“Idon’tknow.Yourstoryiskindofstupid.”“...Hmm.”Yasuhirotookanothersipofcoffee,madeabitterface,andcontinued.
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260924060657/</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:07:00 +0900</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Episode 24 — “Listening to Bob Dylan” (Part 1)</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[
KStationhadtwoexits.TheEastExit,withitsbusterminal,wasrelativelybusy,withpeopleconstantlycomingandgoing.ThentherewasthedesertedWestExit.LeavingthroughtheWestExit,youwalkedalongtherailwaytracksforaboutfiveminutes,thenturnedintoanarrowalley.Thatwaswherethecoffeeshopstood.Itwassurroundedonallsidesbyhouses,sittingtherealmostalone,yetsomehowitdidnotstandout.Itsimplyblendedintotheneighborhood.Manyofthehouseswereold,butitwasaquietresidentialarea,andmostofthepeoplewholivedthereweregentle,elderlyresidents.Mostofthecustomersatacoffeeshopcalled“Knockin’onHeaven’sDoor”wereregulars,manyofthemlivingnearby.Theshopopenedatnineinthemorningandclosedatnineatnight.Throughouttheday,BobDylan’ssongsplayedquietlyinthebackground...ItwasanordinaryThursday.Thelargeclockonthewallshowedeight-thirty,andaslowdaywithfewcustomerswasdrawingtoaclose.Then,suddenly,thedooropened.“Master,goodevening.You’restillopen,right”ThecustomerwasYasuhiro,ajunior-high-schoolstudentwholivednearby.“Whatareyoudoingherethislate,YasuhiroKidsaresupposedtobehomestudyingatthishour.”“...Master,I’malreadyinmysecondyearofjuniorhigh.”“So”“SoI’mnotakidanymore.”“...Ofcourseyouare.Yourparentsarestilltakingcareofyou.”“...Well,Iguessthat’strue.Butthat’snotwhatImean.”“Thenwhatdoyoumean”“Imean...Iaskedifyouwerestillopen,didn’tI”Evenasheaskedthequestion,Yasuhirohadalreadyploppedhimselfdowninachair.“Youhaven’thaddinneryet”“Ihadafightwithmymom.”“Soyouhaven’teaten”Henoddedsilently.“ReallyYoudidn’talreadyeatandthencomeherebecauseyouwerestillhungry”“No!”TheMasterputdownaglassofwateranddisappearedbehindthecounter.“It’spastthelast-ordertime,soallIhaveissomethinglikemyownstaffmeal.Thatokay”“Yes,please!”Themomenthesaidit,hisstomachgrowled.“Well,Iguessyoureallyhaven’teaten.”TheMasterstrokedhisproudmustacheandgaveawrysmile.Hetookthedinnerhehadpreparedforhimself,divideditup,andusedwhateveringredientshehadonhandtomakeYasuhiroalargeplateofspaghetti.“Whoa!Thatlooksgood!Thanks!”Yasuhiroateasthoughheweredrinkingit.“Youshouldchewitalittle.”“...Yeah.”Hewaseatinglikeacastawaywhohadfinallyfoundfood.(Thisisn’tgoingtobeenough...)TheMasterputsomespaghettiintohisownmouth,stoodup,andbeganmakingoneofhisstandarddishes,afrankfurtersandwich.Watchinghimfromacrossthecounter,Yasuhirosaid,“Master,thatlooksgood!Iwantonetoo!”“Youidiot.It’sforyou.”“What...Thanks!”Hiseyeslitup,andheburiedhisfaceevendeepertowardtheplate,pickingupthepace.“Hey,slowdown!Youreallyaregoingtochoke.”(Whatonearthdidhegetintoafightwithhismotherabout,eatinglikethis)TheMasterslowlybroughthisforktohismouthashewatchedYasuhirodevourhismeal.
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</description>
<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260924060341/</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:05:00 +0900</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chapter 22: “Experiencing War” (Part 5)</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Grandfatherremainedsilentforawhile.“Grandpa,shallIgetyousomewater”“Yes.Please.”YoungMasayaturnedthefaucetallthewayon,filledaglasswithwater,andhandedittohisgrandfather.“Thankyou.”Grandfatherdrankthewaterasthoughitweredelicious.Then,slowlyleaningbackintohischair,hebeganagain.“...Towardtheendofthewar,therecameatimewhenwehadnothingtoeat.“Evenso,westillhadadestinationtoreach,andwemarchedtowardit.“Itwasunimaginablydifficult.“Littlebylittle,myvisionbegantoblur.Ilostallfeelinginmylegs.“AllIcouldhearwasthelifeless,rhythmicsoundofthethingsinourpacksknockingagainstoneanother.“Ishuteverythingelseout.“AllIcouldthinkaboutwasmovingmyfeetforward.“Forward.“Forward...“SometimesIwouldloseconsciousnesswithoutrealizingit.“AndwheneverIcamebacktomyself,Irememberthinking...IwishIcouldhavestayedgonealittlelonger.“Bythen,evenouremergencyrationsweregone.Idon’tknowexactlyhowlong,butIthinkithadbeenthreedayssincewehadeatenanything.“Anditwasn’tjustyourgrandfather.“Noonehadeaten.“Noteventhesmallestscrap.”Hefellsilent.“...ThenIwouldsuddenlynoticethatthemanwhohadbeenwalkingbesideme,strugglingjustmomentsbefore,wasgone.“Then,anothertime,Iwouldrealizethatthecomradewalkingbehindmehadsomehowbeenreplacedbysomeoneelse.”“...”“...Bythetimeyourgrandfatherbegantothink,Thisisit.I’mfinished...theofficerfinallyorderedustorest.”Masayahappenedtolookathisgrandfather.Thesettingsuncomingthroughthewindowhadturnedhisfacered.Masayastaredathimcarefully,buthestillcouldnotclearlymakeouthisexpression.“...Wewereinaforest.“Ileanedagainstthenearesttreeandsatdown.“Andsuddenly,Ibecameterriblysleepy...“IknewIshouldn’tfallasleep.“Somewhereinthedistance,Icouldhearthesoundofartillery.“Forsomereason,whenevertheartillerybeganfiring,italwaysseemedtorain.“Ineverknewwhy.“Iusedtowonderwhetherthosehugeshellsflyingbackandforththroughtheskysomehowchangedtheatmosphere.“Maybethatwaswhy.“Idon’tknow.“Butitalwaysseemedtorainwhentheartilleryfired.“Andthatday,too,alightrainwasfalling...“Iwashungry.“Itwasraining.“Mylegswouldn’tmoveanymore.“AndjustwhenIthought,Thisisit.Ican’tgoon...yourgrandfatherfellasleep.”Hepaused.“Idon’trememberhowlongIslept.“ButthenIwokeup.“BecauseIsmelledmeatbeingcooked.“Someonehadbuiltafirenearby.“Andtheyweregrillingmeat.”Hegaveafaintsmile.“Atfirst,IthoughtImustbedreaming.“Iwassohungry,IthoughtperhapsIhadenteredsomekindofworldofhallucinations.“Butthatsmell...“Thatsmellthatfilledmynose...“Icanstillrememberit.“IwassohungrythatIfeltasthoughIwerelosingmymind.“Iwantedtoeat.“Iwanteditsobadly.”“Afterawhile,theofficercameoverandbroughtmeapieceofcookedmeat.“Hesaidonlyonething.‘Eat.’“Andthenheimmediatelywenttoseetheothersoldiers.”Grandfatherwassilentforamoment.“Istaredatthemeatforawhile.“ButbeforeIknewit...“Iwasdevouringit.”“...Afterthat,Istoodup.“AndImadeittoourdestination.”Hepaused.“Becauseofthatmeat.”“Wasitgood”“Yes.”Grandfathernodded.“Itwasdelicious.“Itdidn’tseemlikesomethingfromthisworld.“Evennow,Ihavenevereatenanythingthattastedbetterthanthatmeat.”“Whatifithadn’tbeenthere...”“ThenIwouldhavedied.“Withoutadoubt.“Andyouandyourfatherwouldneverhavebeenborn.”“AuntKeikotoo.”“Ofcourse.“Keikowouldn’thavebeenborneither.”Grandfatherseemedtosmilealittle.“...Notlongafterthat,thewarended.“Andanewerabegan.“YourgrandfatherandtheotherslistenedtotheEmperor’smessageontheradio.”Hepaused.“Almostnoonecried.“WhenIlookedattheofficer...“Hehadthefaceofademon.“Hewasstaringstraightahead.”Grandfatherslowlyraisedhisrighthandtohisforehead.Hegaveasalute.“...Thatofficerkilledhimselfthatday.“Heputapistolinhismouth...“andpulledthetrigger.”“What!”“Thereweremanyothers.“Notjusthim.“Manypeoplediedafterthewar.”“Butwhy“Thewarwasover.”Thistime,Grandfathersmiledclearly.“...Becausethewarwasover.”Heslowlyletthetensionleavehisshouldersandsankdeeperintohischair.Thenhelookedoutthewindow.Attheworldoutsideunchangedfromanyotherday.
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260909073332/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:34:00 +0900</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chapter 22: “Experiencing War” (Part 4)</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Masayasataloneinthelivingroom,drinkingwhiskey.Hiswifehadalreadygoneupstairstobed.Thetelevisionwasoff.Ashewatchedtheicefloatinginhisglass,imagesfromearlierthatdayseemedtoflickeracrossitssurface.(Thetruthis...thekaratestorywasn’twhatfirstcametomind.)Hesimplyhadn’twantedtotellMiyauchiwhathehadreallybeenthinkingabout.Forsomereason,wheneverhefoundhimselfconfrontedwithbetrayal...withsomeonechangingtheirheart...thisparticularmemoryalwayscamebacktohim.Masayatookalongdrinkofwhiskey.(Butstill...whydidGrandfathertellmethatstory)Hehadbeenthirteenyearsoldthen,inhisfirstyearofjuniorhighschool.Wheneverheclosedhiseyes,hecouldstillseehisgrandfather’sexpressionashespoke.Itwasimpossibletodescribe.Helookedlikeamanwhowantedtocrybutcouldn’t.Likesomeonewhowassuffering,yetsomehowsmiling.Yes...Therewassimplynootherwaytodescribethatexpression.“Yourgrandfatherwenttowarwhenhewastwenty.”ThatwashowMasayarememberedhimbeginningthestory.Butwhetherhisgrandfatherhadtrulyintendedtotellhimsomethingimportant,somethinghewantedhimtounderstand,Masayahadneverknown.“...Yourgrandfathercan’tdrinkalcohol.Notadrop.“Butinthearmy,anofficer’sorderswereabsolute.‘Goon,Ishikawa.Haveadrink.’“Theofficersaidthattome.“Hewasinagoodmoodthatday.Isupposehewantedtorewardmeformywork.Somethinglikethat.“Thatofficerhadalwaystakenaparticularlikingtome.Hetreatedmedifferentlyfromtheothers.”Hepaused.“...Itwaswar,yousee.“Weheldourriflesandfiredfromthetrenches.Sometimesbulletspassedrightinfrontofus.“Sometimesthemenbesideusdied.”“Died”“Ofcoursetheydied.Itwaswar.“Thebraveonesdiedfirst.“Ifyouraisedyourheadoutofthetrenchtoaimandfire,youhadabetterchanceofhittingtheenemy.“Yourgrandfatherneverraisedhishead.“Ijuststuckmyrifleoutandfired.”“Wasthatokay”“Thatofficerwouldcomeupbehindmeandkickmeinthebackside.‘Howthehellareyousupposedtohitanythingifyoudon’tevenlookwhereyou’reshooting!’“Iwasafraidofthebullets,andIwasafraidoftheofficer.“Andthestrangestthingwasthis...thatofficerwouldwalkaroundbehindus,kickingthesoldiersinthebackside,andsomehowhenevergothitbyabullet.”“...Canthatreallyhappen”“Itwasstrange.Verystrange...”Hisgrandfatherpausedagain.“...Thatday,Isupposewemusthavewonsomekindofvictory.Wesoldiersdidn’treallyknow.“Buttheofficercalledmeintohisroomandtoldmetodrink.”“Thestoryyouweretalkingaboutbefore.”Grandfathernodded.“Yourgrandfathercouldn’tdrink.“Notadrop.“SoItoldhim,‘Sir,Ican’tdrink.’“Andthenhetookthesaberhangingonthewall.‘You’resayingyoucan’tdrinkMYSAKE!’“Andhepulleditfromitsscabbard...”“Really”“That’swhatmakesitsodifficult.“Becauseitreallyhappened.“Yourgrandfatherwasterrified.Igrabbedtheglassofsakeonthetable,drankitallinonegulp...andapparentlycollapsedonthespotandlostconsciousness.”“Really”“It’salltrue.“Thenextday,thatofficercameandapologizedtome.“Inthosedays,anofficerapologizingtoasubordinatewasunheardof...”“...Wasthatofficeractuallyagoodperson”“AGOODperson“Thatman”Hisgrandfathergaveafaintsmile.“Tome,helookedlikeademon.”Hewassilentforamoment.“Evennow,Ihaven’tforgotten.“Icouldtalkforeveraboutit,buttherearen’tmanygoodstories.“Eventually,asyouknow,thedayJapanlostthewardrewcloser.“Andlifebecameharderandharderformenlikeyourgrandfather.”“Japanlost...Thatmusthavebeenfrustrating.”“...Yes.”Hisgrandfatherlookedaway.“Yes,Isupposeso.“Butifthewarhadgoneonjustalittlelonger...yourgrandfatherwouldhavedied.”“Really”“Yes.“Withoutadoubt,Iwouldhavedied.”Hefellsilentagain.“ButwhenIthinkaboutthefriendswhodiddie...“Frustrating,yousay...“Perhapsitwas.“I’veneverreallythoughtaboutitbefore...”Hisgrandfathermadeasmallmovement,asthoughhewereabouttorisefromhischair.Thenheslowlysettledbackagainstthechairagain.Hiseyeswerelookingsomewherefar,faraway.(Tobecontinued)
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260909072111/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:22:00 +0900</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chapter 22: “Experiencing War” (Part 3)</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Themeetingdidnottakelong.Twentyminuteslater,MasayaandMiyauchiwerealreadyinthecarontheirwayback.Theairconditionerwasrunning,butthesummersunwasmerciless,beatingdownonthesmallcarasthoughitmeanttobakethemalive.TheywereabouthalfwaybackbeforeMiyauchifinallyspoke.“President...I’msorryabouttoday.Youcameallthatway,andwegotnothingoutofit.”Therewasaheavinessinhisvoice.“Wedidgetsomethingoutofit.”“...”“Wefoundout,intheend,thatthePoolFieldShooterjobhadbeentransferredtoanothercompany.That’ssomething,isn’titAtleastnowweknow.”“Yes...unfortunately.”“Ifwehadn’tfoundthatout,Idon’tthinkwecouldhavemadeournextmove.Soyes,itwasunpleasantnews,butlearningthetruthwasstillsomethingwegainedfromthis.”“Evenso...IaskedthemaboutthePoolFieldordersagainandagain,andeverytimetheygavemevagueexcusesandavoidedgivingmeastraightanswer.Buttoday,theytoldussoeasily.”Miyauchitookanelectroniccigarettefromhisinnerpocket.“Sorry,President.”“Oh,that’sfine.”Miyauchitookalongdragandslowlyexhaled.(Thepresidentreallyisthechairman’sson.He’sinheritedhisspirit.)Ashethoughtthat,Miyauchirememberedthebriefbutmeaningfulexchangetheyhadjusthadwiththeircustomer.“...IunderstandthatitmaybedifficultforyoutoanswerthiswhileMr.Shibuyaisn’there,butToyama-san,letmeaskyoudirectly.WhatexactlyishappeningwiththePoolFieldShooteratyourcompanynow”“Whatdoyoumeanby‘whatishappening’”“Evenifit’struethattheworkwastransferredtoanothercompanybecauseofmistakesonourpart,wehavetoacceptthat.ButIwouldliketoknowwhyithappened.Wewanttolearnfromit.Iftherewereproblemswithourquality,orwiththewaywehandledefects,oranythingelse...wewouldliketodiscussthosethingsinternallyandusethemtoimprove.”“...Isee.Yes,that’strue.ThePoolFieldShooteriscurrentlybeinghandledbyanothersupplier.Asforthereason...”AccordingtoToyama,thedecisiontotransfertheworkhadindeedbeeninfluencedbytheseriesofdefectsthathadoccurredshortlybeforehand.Masayabelievedperhapssixtypercentofwhatshesaid.Andhisintuitiontoldhimthattheremainingfortypercentinvolvedsomeotherreason.Thechangeincompanypresidenthadprobablychangedthewaythecustomerviewedthemaswell.Masayahadvaguelysensedthatforsometime.Somethingassmallassimplynotfeelingcomfortablewithsomeonepersonallysomethingdifficulttoexplaincouldgraduallygrowintoaseriousobstacle.“I’msorryIputyouthroughanunpleasantexperience,Miyauchi-san.”“WhatareyoutalkingaboutIt’smyresponsibility.Ifailedtofullyunderstandwhatthecustomerwasthinking.I’msorry.I’mtheonewhoshouldbeapologizing.”“No.I’mnotsosureaboutthat.”“Butanyonecanseewhatcausedthisproblem.”“WhatI’mtryingtosayis,Miyauchi-san...peoplecanthinkcompletelydifferentlydependingontheirpositionandcircumstances.”Hepaused.“Thismaynotbethebestexample,butwhenIwasinhighschool,Ipracticedkarate.”“Iknowthat.Ofcourse.”Masayanodded.“Iwasmoreonthereceivingendofbullying,youknow.Iwantedtochangemyself.That’swhyIjoinedthekarateclub.“ItwasmuchharderthanIexpected.Iwantedtoquitalmostimmediately.ButIhatedtheideaofgivingupsosoon,soIkeptatitforawhile.”Miyauchistaredstraightahead,listeningquietly.“Icouldtellyoucountlessstoriesabouthowharditwas,butthethingIremembermostclearlywastrainingcampinthesummer.“Iwasdrenchedinsweat.Icouldbarelybreathe.Morethananything,mythroatwassodryitfeltasifsomeoneweretearingitapartfromtheinside.“Thefirst-yearshadtocleanthefloorbeforepractice.Therewasthisfilthybucketofwaterthewaterwe’dsqueezedoutoftheragsafterwipingthefloor.Someonehadleftitoutsidethegyminsteadofthrowingitaway.“Duringtheentiretrainingsession,thatwasallIcouldthinkabout.“Thatfilthywaterfromtherags.”“So...didyoudrinkit”“No!”Masayasaid.“Ofcoursenot.Thatwould’vebeeninsane.“ButIrealizedsomething.“Dependingonthecircumstances,peoplecanfindthemselvesthinkingaboutthingstheywouldneverevenconsiderinordinarylife.“Anditdoesn’tnecessarilytakesomethingdramatic.Sometimes,eventhesmallestchangeincircumstancescanpushapersonintoacompletelydifferentwayofthinking.”“President...thatreallywasn’taverygoodexample.”“Sorry,”Masayasaid.“Theexamplewasterrible,butyouunderstandwhatImean,right”Miyauchiburstoutlaughing.(Tobecontinued)
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260909071822/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:21:00 +0900</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chapter 22: “War Experience” (Part 2)</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[
WhenMasayaexplainedhisplantoMiyauchi,Miyauchilistenedinsilenceunusuallyforhimthenslowlynodded.“ThenI’llarrangeadateforameetingwithPalm,andthetwoofuscangotogether.”“Thankyou.DoyouthinkMr.Shibuyawillbetheonemeetingwithus”“Iimagineso.He’sbeenhandlingouraccountformanyyears.AndIthinkMs.Toyamafromtheoperationsdepartmentwillprobablybethereaswell.”Toyamawasthewomanwhohandledtheadministrativesideofthings,suchasissuingpurchaseordersandtakingcareofthefinerdetailsofthepaperwork.“Ihopewecanhaveaconstructiveconversation.”“Well,ourpresidenthimselfisgoing,soIthinkwecanallowourselvestoexpectsomethingpositive.”“IsthatsoAllrightthen,Miyauchi.I’llleaveittoyou.”“Yes.Leaveittome.”Miyauchiwasinagoodmood.Thepresidenthadalwaystendedtofocushisattentionontheworkbeingdoneontheshopfloor,leavingcustomerslargelyinthehandsofwhoeverwasresponsibleforthem.ThiswasthefirsttimeMasayahaddecidedtotakeactionhimself.(Maybethepresidentisfinallybeginningtochange.)ThethoughtputMiyauchiinsuchacheerfulmoodthathefeltlikebreakingintosong.IshikawaPrecisionProcessingCo.,Ltd.wasasmallcompanywithonlytenemployeesintotal,butevennow,manyofthemstillheldthepreviouspresidentindeepaffection.(Nomatterwhat,Masayahastobecomeanevengreaterpresidentthanhisfather!)Miyauchibelievedthathisfeelingsrepresentedthoseofalltheemployees.(Onewayoranother,everyonehereowessomethingtothepreviouspresident.Insteadofexpectingtheoldercraftsmentoleadtheway,Ihavetosetanexamplemyself.)Whenhewasyoung,Miyauchidriftedfromonetemporaryjobtoanother,unabletofindsteadywork.Then,beforeheknewit,hehadachildontheway.HehadbeenatacompletelosswhenafriendintroducedhimtoIshikawaPrecisionProcessing.Notlongafterjoiningthecompany,hebegantothink:Thisworkisactuallyinteresting.WhyhadhecometofeelthatwayTherewereanynumberofwayshecouldexplainit,butMiyauchihadalwaysdeeplyrespectedthepreviouspresident,Mr.Ishikawa.Evennow,hebelievedwithouthesitationthatthiswastherealreason.“TakecareofMasayaforme,Miyauchi.”Thepreviouspresidenthadsaidthattohimonce.“Yes.Ifthere’sanythingIcando,I’lldoit.”Thatwashowhehadanswered.Butatthetime,hehadnotfullyunderstoodwhattheoldermanhadmeant.(Intheend,though,it’syourproblemtosolve,Mr.Masaya.)MiyauchiwasalwaysspeakingtoMasayathatwayinhismind.Evennow,hecontinuedtoaskhimselfhowheshouldanswerthepreviouspresident’swishes.Ontheappointedday,MasayawenttoPalmtogetherwithMiyauchi.Hehadonlybeenthereoncebefore.“Pleasewaithereforamoment.”Afemaleofficeworkershowedthemintoareceptionroom.Masayalookedoverthedocumentshehadbroughtonceagain,goingoverinhismindhowheshouldapproachtheconversation.Buttheirhostsdidnotappear.“They’recertainlytakingtheirtime.”“Yes.I’msurewetoldthemwhattimewe’dbehere.”Afteronlyfiveminutes,Miyauchi’snaturallyimpatientsidebegantoshow.Alittlewhilelater,Toyamaappeared.“Hello.I’mterriblysorrytohavekeptyouwaiting.”Perhapsbecauseshehadhurriedover,shewasslightlyoutofbreathandsweating.Toyamawasapleasant-looking,slightlyplumpwomanwhoappearedtobeinhermid-thirties.“No,notatall.Thankyouformakingtimeforustoday.”AsMiyauchiresponded,helookedaroundtheroom.“Um...whereisMr.Shibuya”“Mr.Shibuyaisoutvisitingclientstoday,soheisn’tintheoffice.”“WhatReally”“Yes.I’vebeenbriefedonthematter,soI’llhearwhatyouhavetosay.”“Oh...Isee...”Miyauchileanedbackinhisofficechairandletoutasigh.(Tobecontinued.)
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260909071653/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:18:00 +0900</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chapter 22: “War Experience” (Part 1)</title>
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“Still,somethingaboutthisjustisn’tright.”MiyauchiwasraisinghisvoicemorethanusualashepressedPresidentMasaya.“...”“Nomatterhowyoulookatit,we’veneverhadanythinglikethishappenbefore.”“...Well,that’strue.”“Whydon’tyousaysomethingtoo,President”Hemadenoattempttohidehisirritation.“Yes,well...let’slookintoit.We’llcheckwiththem.”Miyauchi,whohadbeenemotionallyattackingthepresidentforsometimenow,wasamid-levelemployeewhohadbeentrustedbythepreviouspresident.Hehadbeenwiththecompanyformanyyears.MasayaIshikawa,ontheotherhand,wasayoungpresidentwhohadtakenoverthefamilybusinessfromhisfather,thepreviouspresident,onlytwoyearsearlier.“I’mcountingonyou.”Miyauchispatoutthewordsandwalkedaway.Butasheheadedoutofthefactory,hespokeloudlyenoughforMasayatohear,deliberatelymakingsuretheworkersontheshopfloorheardhimtoo.“Ourbossnevergivesyouastraightanswer!”(Miyauchi...whatatroublesomeman.)Still,Masayaunderstoodperfectlywellthatthiswasnotsomethinghecouldsimplyoverlook.(Allright.Let’ssortthisout.)Heletoutalongbreathandleanedbackinthelargepresident’schair.(First,theordersforPoolFieldShootersfromPalm,ourmaincustomer,stoppedsometimearoundtheendoflastyear.)HebeganmakingnotesaboutthecustomerandtheproductMiyauchihadbeensoconcernedabout,usingthebackofanolddrawingthatwasnolongerneeded.(There’snoquestionaboutit.Backwhenmyfatherwaspresident,thiswasoneofourmainjobs.Evenwhentherewasagapbetweenorders,itwasnevermorethanthreemonthsorso...Atitsbusiest,wehandledasmanyasthreehundredlotsamonth.It’sJulynow,whichmeanswehaven’treceivedanorderinabouteightmonths.)Leaningtowardhiscomputerscreen,hecheckedthedeliveryslipsandinvoicesonceagain.(...AsfortheotherworkwedoforPalm...ifIcomparethesalesfigureswithoutPoolField,they’reaboutthesameaslastyearandtheyearbeforethat...)Palmwasatradingcompany.Tradingcompanysoundedrespectableenough,butbasically,theywerebrokersmakingalivingbytakingacut.(Andthecurrentpersoninchargeisparticularlytroublesome.Hisnamewas...right.Shibuya.)Hehadalwaysseemedlikeamanwhosethoughtsweredifficulttoread.PalmhadbeenentirelyMiyauchi’sresponsibility,soMasayahadonlymetShibuyaonceortwice.HewroteShibuyaonthepaper.HehadneverevenmetPalm’spresident.Miyauchihadsaidthatthepresidenthimselfwasrarelyaroundtheoffice.Still,MasayarememberedsomethingMiyauchihadoncesaid.“Tobehonest,I’mnotverycomfortablewithPalm’spresidenteither.He’swhatyou’dcallanold-schoolShowa-eracompanypresident...energetic,thetypewhogoesoutdrinkingandbringsbackbusiness.That’swhatI’veheard,anyway.AndfromwhatI’veseen,hereallydoesseemlikethatkindofperson.”(It’shardtoimaginethepresidenthimselfgettinginvolvedwithasmallaccountlikeours.Andevenifhewereinvolved,heprobablywouldn’tagreetositdownandtalkwithus...)MasayatriedtoimaginePalm’spresidentamanhehadnevermet.Andsomehow,theimageofShibuya’ssly-lookingfaceappearedbehindhim.(...No.Thistime,IneedtospeakwithMr.Shibuyamyself.)Masayasankdeeperintohischairandlookedupattheceiling.(Tobecontinued.)
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260909071517/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:16:00 +0900</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>インターミッション　3</title>
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こんにちは。
ここでまた、少し休憩のコメントを入れさせていただきます。
今までに二回、インターミッションを入れましたが、その度に方向性が変わると書いてきました。このところ気づいたのですが、ますますそれが変わって行きそうで、もう仕方ないかな、と思っています。
というのも、始めのころに比べて、あまり方向性を決めて書いてないため、それが製造業として発信する価値があるかどうか、ということにこだわりがなくなってしまったせいです。
でも、良いかな、と思っています。（くどいようですが）
ストーリーや人物を無理やり決めつけることは自然なことではない、と最近感じるようになりました。
書き始めは、ある程度の筋ができていますが、進めるうちにこの登場人物ならこの場合そんなことは言わないとか、そういう行動はしないとかなってくると、なかなか思う展開にならない、そんな印象です。
ゆえに、最近のショートストーリーは、ダラダラ長くなってしまい、一話完結がなかなか出来ない･･････。まあ、いいか。一話完結である必要もないし･･････。（くどいかもしれませんが）
このブログは、ルール、規則、納期、金額、お客様の事情エトセトラ、エトセトラ･･････、そういったものと向き合い、戦い、その先にある光を探す、そういったことを大きなテーマにしてます。
そして、仕事に、人生に、自分自身に、正面から向き合いながら何気ない日常を生きる人を描くことは、当初の理念から外れているという訳ではないかな～、と思ふ。
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260906201236/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:15:00 +0900</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>第二十四話　「ボブディランを聴きながら」（その5）</title>
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クラスの連中の誤解が解けるのは早かった。翌日、みんなの前で謝罪し、高森先生が説明すると、ざわざわした雰囲気がのように消えた･･････。もちろん、渡辺にも個人的に謝った。「いや、悪いのは俺の方だよ。お前は嫌がってたのは、分かってたんだ。」詫びた安弘に、むしろ渡辺の方が余計に謝って来た。「でも、やりすぎちゃったしね。ごめん」「ああ、それにしても、お前の力、すごいな。俺はあの時、すぐに謝ろうとしたけど、お前のパンチがあまりにもすごくて、声が出なくなっちまった。その後、胸ぐら掴まれて、あれだろ、ヤバいって思ったよ。」「すまん。訳が分からなくなっちゃって。それにしても、オレが嫌がってるのを分かってたのに、何で続けたんだ？」「･･････。」「お前がしつこくするのが、おかしいって思ったんだよ。あの時、そういえば。何で？」「･･････もう、いいよ。悪かったよ。ごめん。もう、しないよ。」「･･････いや、まあ、オレも悪いし、でもそういう意味じゃ･･････」「それより、月山、大丈夫かな？」渡辺は遮って言った。それは安弘も一番気にしていることだった。特に高森先生が最後にした、あざの話･･････。そのことが気になって、ずっと頭から離れずに残っている。･･････それから、二週間くらいが過ぎた頃、やっと月山が登校して来た。内心ほっとしたのと同時に、月山の右頬に黒いシミが少し残っていることに気がついた。月山が休んでいる間、ずっと気になっていたことが、現実として目で見たことで、あの件がまだ終わっていないと突き付けられたような気持ちになった。高森先生には、何度も月山にも謝りたいと伝えた。そして、大丈夫かどうか教えてくれ、と頼んだ。その度に高森先生は、今先生の方で連絡とってるから少し待ちなさい、と短く諭してきた。月山さんは、怒ってないから、とりあえず気にしないでいいから、とも言った。その日、すぐに月山さんに謝りたい、と思っていたがなかなか話すタイミングがつかめず、放課後になってしまった。ほんの一瞬、月山さんの側から、人が居なくなった時、安弘は勇気を出して近づいた。「月山さん、この前は･･････、ごめん」「安弘くん、私こそ、決めつけて、ごめんね」「･･････」「･･････」「悪かったのは、ぼく、です。だけど、月山さんの時は、ほんとにわざとじゃないんだ。あの時は、ちょっとパニックになって、･･････でも、ごめん。」「でも、渡辺君には分かってやったんでしょ」「そうだけど、渡辺の時もカッとなって、訳が分からなくなって･･････」「人を傷つけて、そんな言い訳は、ダメよ」「･･････」「でも、私のは、偶然だし、安弘くんは、人を傷付けて喜ぶような人じゃないでしょ」「うん。そうだよ。でも、顔のあざ･･････」「大丈夫。きっと消えるって、お医者さんが言っていたわ」「･･････」安弘が言葉を探しているうちに、月山さんは誰かに呼ぶ声に応えて「じゃあ、私は、気にしてないから、安弘くんも元気だして」何かとても大事なことを伝えたかったが、言葉にできない、そんな気持ちが安弘の中にしこりのように残った･･････。「で、その後、何か話したの？その月山さんと」マスターは、すこしにやにや笑った。「いや、それが･･････、今日急に、高森先生がみんなの前で言ったんだけど･･････、月山さん、お父さんの都合で転勤になったんだって。」今まで、流れていたのにぜんぜん耳に入って来なかったボブディランの曲が、遠くに響くように聞こえだした。「最近、休みが何回か続いて、月山さん、元気ないな、って思ってたんだけど。」「あれ、安弘お前、泣いてんのか？」「だって、ちゃんと謝ってないし。あざが残っちゃったら･･････」「安弘、月山さんのこと、みんなから嫌われてるって言ってなかったっけ？」「それはみんなだろ。僕が、って言ってないじゃん」「ああ、なるほど･･････」マスターは、安弘の話を聞きながら、ずっと昔の自分の思い出と重ねていた。うずもれた記憶･･････まさかこんな形で蘇ってくるとは、という記憶･･････。ボブディランの「くよくよするな」が静かに聞こえる。「･･････しかし安弘」「なに？」「お前、おふくろと喧嘩したって、オレにウソついたな」「だって、仕方ないじゃん。」氷のなくなった水を一気に飲み干す安弘を見ながら、マスターは思った。（Don’tThinkTwice,It’sAllRight･･････くよくよするなよ、か？･･････簡単じゃ、ないよな）
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<link>https://ishii-oem.com/blog/detail/20260906003415/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:35:00 +0900</pubDate>
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