On a fine day during the rainy season, it might be the most peaceful day of the year. Although we occasionally have scorching hot summer days, most days are just warm. Today, the forecast predicts a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, but despite the humidity being 72%, it doesn’t feel too muggy and I’m in a refreshing mood. I don’t feel like going out far because I want to avoid getting caught in the rain, so I spend a lot of time at home. When I met a neighbor, he told me he bought food for his killifish. When I asked if he kept killifish, he said there were killifish in the drain in front of his house. He had bought food for those killifish. It was surprising to hear that, despite his appearance – though I might get scolded for saying that – he showed such a kind gesture and the fact that there were killifish in the drain amazed me. There is a large water lily pot in front of their house, and small buds of water lilies are peeking out. Underneath the water lily leaves, a few goldfish are leisurely swimming. It seems there are also killifish, but they might be going to school.

梅雨の晴れ間の日は、一年中で一番のどかな日かもしれません。真夏日はたまにありますが夏日が多く、それ以下の日もあります。今日も最高気温は30度の予報ですが、湿度72%の割には蒸し暑くもなく、爽やかな気分です。雨に降られてはとの思いから、遠くへ出かける気もなく、家で過ごす日が多いからでしょう。近所のご主人に会ったら、メダカの餌を買ってきたと言います。メダカを飼っているのかと聞くと、飼っているのではなく、家の前の下水溝にメダカがいると言う。そのメダカの餌を買って来たんだと。顔に似合わず－と言ったら叱られるかな－優しい心遣いと、下水溝にメダカがいると言うのに驚きました。そのお家の前には大きな睡蓮鉢があって、睡蓮の小さな蕾が覗いています。睡蓮の葉っぱの下には金魚が何匹かゆったり泳いでいます。メダカもいるそうですが、学校に行っているのかもしれません。