"It's interesting because I know it."

Hello.
This is Aoyagi.

I apologize for blowing my own horn, but I've started reading a tremendous amount of books in the last two to three years.

Before that, the only books I read were manga.

I had hardly ever read any books with text.


In fact, even when I tried to read, I'd read the same line over and over again, and then I'd think,

"Huh, where was I?"

That's how foolish I was, lol.

I honestly thought, "I'll never read a book in my life."


When I looked back to consider why I, of all people, had become so engrossed in books, I realized that one particular event and my inherent personality might have played a role.





First, the catalyst was giving up alcohol.

No, it was being able to give it up, lol.

It felt like the time I spent drinking simply transformed into time spent reading.


Another factor was my inherent personality: I've always been one to thoroughly delve into things I like.

I've always thoroughly researched things I enjoy, like music and skateboarding, and then I'd think,

"I see."
or,
"So that's how it is!"

And I unconsciously felt the joy of "knowing."


When you think about it, many things are interesting because you know about them; in fact, they're not interesting if you don't know.

I think basketball, baseball, and soccer are exciting and enjoyable because you understand the rules.


As I've gotten older, I've met more people and have come to understand the world better than before.

That's why I've started to take an interest in various things, and the act of "knowing" itself has become more enjoyable.


Perhaps I'm not reading books because I want to become smarter, but rather because I want to enjoy life more.


Thinking about it that way, even when I was drinking, it was because I wanted to enjoy life.

Fundamentally, nothing has changed, lol.