June 8, 2022: My Favourite Barbershop, Owner, Massage （行きつけの散髪屋、マスター、マッサージ）

      I happened to see the owner of my favourite barbershop when I was walking in one morning. It was my big surprise to see him on a bicycle approaching me. I had never seen him around that time. I stopped walking to talk with him. He was on his way to his shop after receiving a massage. He is about the same age as me. As he gets older, it is getting tough for him to keep standing to cut hair. He always suffers from various physical ailments. He needs to receive a massage regularly.
    I have used the barbershop for about twenty-five years. It is a very long-term relationship. We get so friendly as to talk honestly with each other. It is time for me to go to the shop. My last visit was two months ago when I had my hair cut for my daughter’s wedding party. My hair does not grow as fast as before due to ageing.

　先日、行きつけの散髪屋さんのマスターに道ばたで偶然出会う機会がありました。ある朝、ウオーキングをしていたら、自転車に乗ったマスターが近づいてきてびっくりです。この時間帯、マスターに会うのは初めてでした。立ち止まって、少し話をしました。マッサージを終えて、これから店に向かうところだったそうです。マスターはボクと同じような年です。年ととるにつれて、立ち仕事がつらく、体にガタが来ているため、マッサージは欠かせないそうです。
　マスターの店に通い始めて、かれこれ25年です。長い付き合いになり、正直になんでも言い合える関係になりました。2ヶ月前の娘の結婚式の前に行って以来なので、そろそろ行く時期です。最近は、年のせいか髪の毛も伸びなくなりました。