“I think I'll take the bus to a drinking district today, for once.”
With that light feeling, I boarded a bus on my way home from work. KAZUKIN at that moment had no idea this day would become one of the worst days for my heart in my life.
A few minutes after getting off the bus. “Huh...?” My wallet was gone. Seriously? Looking at my bag, I turned even paler. The zipper was fully open. This is practically a crime scene.
“No, no, calm down.” I turned the bag upside down. I searched my pockets. My jacket. My pants. I even searched my heart. ...What isn't there isn't there.
A frenzy of calls, and a 50%-despair 8 p.m.
It had to be the bus. But it could be the road. The most likely place was inside the bus. But I may have dropped it along the way. No use dwelling. I immediately jumped on a bus in the opposite direction and went back to the stop where I'd boarded. In the meantime I called the bus company, the police, the bank and the card company. A full-on frenzy of calls.
The police gave me a report number. “Your report number is XX.” Yes. Thank you. ...But my mind was elsewhere. The bank operator kindly said, “We can't confirm any unauthorized use at this time, so please rest assured.” Thank you... Even that one line saved me a little.
“It'll be back at 8 p.m.” the bus company told me. “That bus is currently running its next route.” “It'll return around 8, and if your wallet isn't there then... please think it wasn't found.” ...That line packs quite a punch. 50% hope. 50% despair. With that feeling, I waited for 8 p.m.
Acting on the assumption the wallet won't turn up
Even while waiting, I didn't stop. Suspending my My Number card. Suspending my bank card. Suspending my credit card. In my head: “Reissue my driver's license...” “Remake all my cards...” “How many point cards do I have...” “What about my Saint Marc shareholder perk?” A complete life-administration RPG.
7:30 p.m. I look at my phone. A call from the bus company. ...What? ...Could it be? I hurried to call back. “Hello... this is KAZUKIN.” And from the other end: “Ah! You're the person about the wallet.” “We have it!”
...Th-th-than-k-you-u-u-u!!!!!! Seriously. Emotionally, it was at the level of being found innocent five seconds after being sentenced to death. I was really saved. That was close. More than the wallet itself, thinking of the license and cards inside, I broke out in nothing but cold sweat.
You must not judge people by first impressions
Come to think of it. Next to me on the bus sat two young women with long, witch-like nails. The moment I noticed my wallet was gone, I thought, even for an instant, “Could those two be out drinking with it right now...?” ...I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry.
Maybe. No, quite possibly they were the ones who picked it up and handed it to the driver. In the end I don't know who delivered it. But it's certain that some stranger delivered it out of kindness.
If by some miracle I meet that person again. Cash might actually be rude, so a gift certificate or some sweets—I want to give some thanks. ...I think that, but the biggest wall is the problem of how to find “someone who just sat next to me” (lol).
Summary
What I learned from dropping my wallet: close the zipper. Suspending cards is harder than imagined. And above all, there really are kind people in this world.
The nameless someone. The person who delivered it. Everyone at the bus company who helped. The police officer. The operators at the bank and card company. Thank you so much. It was a day I was saved to the bottom of my heart by the warmth of strangers. ...That said, the disease of checking my wallet every 30 seconds probably won't be cured for a while (lol).
善意の温かみ、いいよね
KAZUKIN Rating
- 💦 Load on the heart — ★★★★★ (top class in my life)
- 📞 Fatigue from the frenzy of calls — ★★★★☆ (bank, police and card company all mobilized)
- 🙏 A stranger's kindness — ★★★★★ (truly saved)
- 😅 My own words and actions to reflect on — ★★★★☆ (the matter of briefly suspecting two young women)
- 🔒 Awareness of closing the zipper — ★☆☆☆☆ (next time, I'll be thorough)
This article is a personal experience and opinion. It is recorded with gratitude to the bus company and everyone involved.