私の中の中学2年生：middle-schooler in me

(Japanese follows English)

I’m surprised by my own emotions. Last night, as soon as I got into bed, I suddenly remembered 'Naruse' and tears began to well up. I felt an indescribable emotion, and tears came flowing freely. I had felt empathy towards 'Naruse' while reading, but I didn't expect to be this moved—it surprised even me. The tears were so overwhelming that I had to get up and continue with the section about Takuro to calm down. After settling a bit, I returned to bed. I must really love 'Naruse'.

Perhaps the reason I empathize is because the middle-schooler 'Naruse' lives within me, an elderly auntie, Yoko. This might be why this book won the Booksellers Award.

自分の感性？感情に驚いている。　昨日、ベッドに入ったら、急に　『成瀬』を思い出し、じわ〜っと涙が溢れてきた。なんとも言えない気持ちになって、結構な勢いで涙が出てくる。確かに、読んでいる時から『成瀬』への感情移入は感じてたけど、これほどまで、とは思わず、我ながら驚く。あまりに泣けるので、一旦起きて、タクローの方を読み進めた。少し落ち着いたのでベッドに戻る。私は、『成瀬』大好きなのだろう。

おばあちゃんの私の中に中学2年生の『成瀬』がいて、共感を感じたのだろう。この本が本屋大賞をとった理由はそこにあるのかもしれない。