Mojiko Retro One more look at the harbour lights, my hand still on the door

I was taking in the nighttime view of Mojiko. The buildings I'd seen during the day looked so different with the lights on. Light stretched in long bands across the harbour, and even the windows of the Former Moji Customs House caught my eye. I was about to head back, but I stopped for just a little longer.

After taking in the building, I turned my gaze toward Kanmon Bridge in the distance on the left. Watching the lights trail across the water nearly made me forget my plans to head home. I wanted to see the bridge and the building at once, so my eyes kept moving back and forth. With so much to see, it was hard to call it a night.

I came back to my red car and put my hand on the door, but the harbour lights caught my eye again. Every ripple changed the shape of the reflections a little. I'd get in after one more look, I thought. But I stayed there, my hand on the door, wanting just a little longer.

I realized I was going to keep saying “just a little longer” again and again. I made excuses to myself about the time I'd set to head home. “The lights are beautiful right now” was the same reason I'd used a moment ago. I laughed quietly to myself, then took one more look at the harbour.

I love Mojiko by day, but at night I like stepping back and looking at the buildings from a little distance. The windows and walls I'd seen up close become part of the harbour view. Seeing the places I'd walked through come together like that felt like looking back over the whole day one last time.

At last, I turned to go. I knew I'd want to tell the friend I go driving with about the harbour at night. I'm sure she'd laugh at how long it took me to leave. But I think she'd understand why if she saw this view, so I turned around for one last look.