2020.03.28　ロシアへの手紙

　ロシアの友人への手紙。久しぶりに英語でメッセージを送ったら、長文の返事が来て驚いた。アレックスは出会った時には20代後半で、ロシアで働く銀行員だった。スペインやイタリア、フランスなどの国からの留学生たちと比べて年齢のせいもあってか、落ち着き払っていて、みんなからのナイトクラブへの誘いをいつも断って、ケンブリッジの街を散歩していた。僕個人も英語を学びに来ているのだから、あまり馴れ合いたくないぞ、という気持ちの時期だったこともあり、すごく仲良くなれた気がするし、少ない会話の中でも通じ合っていたと思える数少ない海外の友人だ。9ヶ月間の留学から帰ってきて早6年。かなりうろ覚えな英語ではあったが、久しぶりにちゃんと英語で返事を書いた。

　留学中に出会った海外の友人の根気強い連絡には驚くことが多い。こっちが忘れているだろうなと思っていると、メッセージをくれたりする。日本人がどうだ、とかナショナリティに還元したまとめ方をしたくないのだが、日本で友達になった人たちは、時間が経って、全く会うことができなくなると自然と連絡を取らなくなり、いつの間にか思い出の中の人になっていることが多い。より地縁的な関係性に縛られやすいのだろうか。不思議な気持ちになる。彼にはまた会いたいな。

To Alexey

　Thanks for replying me. Bassically, we're not in compulsive quarantine in Tokyo so far. Tokyo prefecture asked us for not going out without reasons this weekend, but they can't force us. The government said we have not enough people infected to force it considering its population. But many people including me have suspect that the government might've been testing deliberately few people than requested. Three days ago they found 41 people infected in Tokyo. The day before yesterday another 47 people found infected and yesterday it became 60. If it increases continuously we may be in a compulsive quarantine.
And many people face a serious financial need in Japan especially workers of small restaurants, entertainment facilities like live houses and theatres. In my work we can sell music or music copyright to people on line. So we're ok for now. But musicians are struggling with this situation. I hope our government will support entertainment workers.

I'm glad to hear that you're well and you can work from home. Now I'm working for a digital department in Japanese music company. So I'm staying at home and doing a remote work. I saw your works. Looks cool:) Actually I learned html and css like 8 years ago. It was just a part time job at that moment but I quit it soon to go to the UK, so I don't remember well haha. Now I personally want to learn python to analyze music listening data. Anyway, I'm ok and have lots of foods in my house, thanks.

Your English is so good. You must've been studying English so hard! I don't use English in my daily life, so if you can, keep in touch! And when everything becomes normal come to Japan! or I will go to your place.

The best,

p.s.
I didn't know you're 35 already. I'm gonna be 28y-o this year. I'm looking forward to seeing you again, near future!