Rainbow City

A year later, the day arrived to welcome the new residents; flags and banners featuring the seven-colored rainbow — the symbol of the LGBTQ community — fluttered in unison at train stations and the entrances to major roads throughout the city.

On April 1st, coinciding with the start of the fiscal year, a large number of LGBTQ individuals proudly passed through rainbow-colored gates as they moved into the city.

In the mayor’s office, watching the scene via an online video stream alongside the male consultant, the mayor spoke with deep emotion.

“Fifteen thousand new residents in the first year alone … Adopting your proposal was the right decision. You put in a lot of hard work.”

The consultant replied with a smile.

“The honor is mine to have been of service. I am the one who should be thanking you for giving me a track record in local government revitalization.”

Countless emails from the new LGBTQ residents were pouring into city hall. Finally finding a moment to look through them, the mayor read a few right then and there, eyes welling up with tears.

“I feel ashamed of myself. What intelligent, heartfelt messages these are. People who send such warm notes of gratitude — and yet, I used to view them with prejudiced eyes simply because they were LGBTQ.”

The consultant nodded repeatedly as he spoke.

“I am glad you understand. However, it seems there are still many citizens who oppose this. I hear quite a few heterosexual residents have already moved out of the city.”

The mayor opened the folder containing emails from the opposition and replied:

“If we take the time to persuade them, I’m sure the other citizens will come to understand. It’s nothing more than prejudice — after all, that’s exactly how I felt just a year ago.”

As the mayor began reading the emails from the opposition, his expression suddenly clouded over. After rapidly scanning through emails from the opposition, the mayor suddenly slammed his hands onto his desk, stood up, and shouted:

“Damn it! The heterosexual-only residential zone … so this was it!”

Sensing something was amiss, the consultant asked, “Is there a problem?”

“That residential zone …”

The mayor, looking deathly pale, turned his gaze toward the consultant.

”… I forgot to build it.”

(End)