The Dawn of Spring

After breakfast, I stepped out to pick up Agatha Christie’s ‘Towards Zero’ from the library. The weather couldn’t be more perfect. With Daft Punk’s produced track, The Weeknd’s ‘I Feel It Coming’, serenading me, I made my way to the library with a spring in my step. Every time I hear this song, it feels like Michael Jackson is back with us. 🎶

The worn-out Agatha Christie classic handed over at the checkout seemed to mock me, asking ‘Aren’t you a bit late?’ But I had read this book back in elementary school. Around that time, after devouring works by Conan Doyle, Maurice Leblanc, and Agatha Christie, as well as other authors like Gaston Leroux and Ellery Queen, I seriously pondered whether to become a detective or a phantom thief. Now, of course, I live more like an extra in life’s movie. 🤔

Recently, I caught an episode of ‘You Quiz’ featuring writer Jung Se-rang, where, when asked by Yoo Jae-suk for a book recommendation, she introduced this book and remarked:

‘Isn’t this book just fascinating?’

Although I’d read it, I couldn’t confidently say ‘yes’. Not because it wasn’t intriguing, but because I simply couldn’t remember the plot. It felt unjust to forget the contents of a book claimed to be so captivating. If it had been a book I hadn’t read, I might’ve brushed it off. Since then, it’s been on my mind, and I’ve decided I must read it again someday. 📚

Leaving the library, I headed to a nearby café and flipped through the pages, but the words just wouldn’t stick—perhaps because the day was so splendid. I closed the book and found Wada Kanako’s city pop track ‘Uncertain I Love You’ on YouTube. It’s a song from the Japanese anime ‘Orange Road’, and I consider it the pinnacle of deep, mature love stories. Wada didn’t have a long career, so even many Japanese might not know her. If she appeared on a show like ‘Sugar Man’, people might initially ask ‘Who’s Wada Kanako?’ but would be reaching for their wallets after hearing her sing. 🎤 Anyway, this particular line from the song:

A story of parting doesn’t suit
The sunlit terrace of the afternoon

seemed to fit today’s weather perfectly. Although, in the song, the protagonist is about to hear a breakup while sipping iced tea. ☀️

With weather this amazing, I thought I could wander a bit more and decided to get a haircut. My bangs were poking my eyes anyway. I booked an appointment and leisurely left the café. With some time to spare, I dropped by home to set down my heavy bag and, sitting on the couch, picked up ‘Towards Zero’ again, but the words still wouldn’t sink in. After a bit of lounging, I stepped out again, wearing just a knit without a coat. If you can go out without a coat, it must be spring, so today is truly

the start of spring.