東京、都会の喧騒とは逆った河原町、閑静な裏通りを歩く一人のビジネスマン、タケシ。彼の目は疲れきった顔に反映され、息も荒い。日々の厳しいビジネス戦線で、彼は常に人と立ち向かってきた。その強迫観念により、彼はあらゆるものを競争相手と認識してしまうほどであった。

In the tranquil back alleys of Kawaramachi, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo city, walked a businessman named Takeshi. The weariness reflected in his face and his heavy breathing indicated the toll of his daily battles in the harsh business world. Due to his obsessive nature, he saw everything as a competitor, constantly in competition with others.

日が落ち、通りの灯りが点いた。タケシは手元の時計を見て、深層心理の中心に恐怖を抱く。そこから視線を上げると立派な灰色のデタッチメントが目に入った。すくっと立って、向かい合わせ、まるで待ち受けているように。彼は、気取られ、ビジネスマンとしての自己意識を瞬間的に喪失したかのように、その自動販売機に対し、深々とお辞儀をしてしまう。

As the sun set and the streetlights turned on, Takeshi looked at his watch, feeling fear deep within his subconscious. When he raised his gaze, he saw a magnificent gray vending machine. It stood tall as if waiting for him. In that moment, Takeshi, caught off guard and momentarily losing his self-awareness as a businessman, bowed deeply to the vending machine.

その一部始終を、隣の雑貨店で働く女性、ハルカが目撃していた。彼女は、番狂わせの出来事に驚き、同時に笑いを抑えることはできなかった。彼女は店の外に出てきて、タケシに声をかけた。

Haruka, a woman working in the adjacent general store, witnessed the whole affair. Surprised and unable to suppress her laughter, she stepped outside and called out to Takeshi.

「何気に、すごく礼儀正しいですね、自動販売機にまでお辞儀なんて。」

"That was unexpectedly polite of you, bowing to a vending machine."

ハルカの言葉に、タケシは突然の現実へと戻り、赤面した。彼は頭を抱え、「あー、すいません、注意散漫で…。」と開き直った。その場面には、普通の日常としては捉えられなかった、少し滑稽なシュールさが漂っていた。

Takeshi was suddenly jolted back to reality by Haruka's words and blushed. He ran his hand through his hair and sheepishly replied, "Ah, sorry, I was absent-minded…" The scene had a slightly absurd and surreal quality that couldn't be described as an ordinary everyday occurrence.

しかし、その出会いをきっかけにタケシとハルカは親しくなり、タケシはビジネスだけではない人間関係の暖かみを再認識し、少しずつ仕事へのストレスから開放されていく。ハルカの存在が、彼が自動販売機に対してお辞儀をするくらい追い詰められていた彼の働きすぎの心情を癒し、彼は人間らしい暮らしに戻りつつあった。そしてハルカも、その不思議で人懐っこいビジネスマンとの出会いに、日常の中にある小さな喜びを見つけることができた。この、互いにとって新たな経験は二人の日常を少しゆったりとしたものにし、彼らの人生をより豊かで楽しいものに変えていった。

However, as a result of this encounter, Takeshi and Haruka became close, and Takeshi began to rediscover the warmth of human connections beyond just business. Gradually, he found relief from the stress of work. Haruka's presence healed Takeshi's overwhelmed state, symbolized by his bowing to the vending machine, and he started to regain a more human way of living. Similarly, Haruka found small joys in her daily life through her encounter with the strange yet friendly businessman. These newfound experiences made their everyday lives more relaxed and transformed their lives into something richer and more enjoyable.