The story is about a middle-aged welding technician. He has been welding the pipes of chemical plants, which require high skills because the pipes have to withstand high pressure. He has been the best technician in his company. He has been proud of the quite low failure rate of his welds.

One day, he is assigned to a much easier job than he has been doing due to his increased failure rate. It is a turning point. He begins to lose his confidence in his technique.

He makes simple mistakes even on simple jobs. Sometimes he sees an inspector watching him at his work, but it is his illusion. He loses his temper with the foreman who points out his violation of the safety rules. The company finally bans him from welding for a year. He is afraid that his welding technique will rust. He goes to a construction site to weld in his co-worker's place without his company's permission.

I wonder if he could ask someone for advice on this matter. Was he too proud of himself to admit that his technique was not what it used to be? If it were me, what would I do?

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『我が手の太陽』（石田夏穂）を読んで

中年の溶接工の話。彼は、高圧に耐える必要があるため高い技術を要する、化学プラントの溶接作業に従事してきた。会社ではずっとエース溶接工だった。飛び抜けて低い欠陥率を誇りにしてきた。

ある日、欠陥率の増加を理由に彼は簡単な現場に回される。それをきっかけに、彼は自分の腕にだんだん自信を持てなくなり始める。

簡単な仕事なのに、単純なミスを繰り返してしまう。検査員が時々自分の作業を監視しているのに気づくが、それは彼の幻覚だ。自分の不安全行動を指摘した現場責任者にキレてしまう。会社はついに、彼に一年間の溶接作業禁止を言い渡す。彼は溶接がどんどん下手になるのではないかと気が気ではない。会社の許可を得ずに、同僚の代わりに溶接をしに現場に彼は向かう。

私は、彼は誰かにこのことを相談できなかったのかと思った。プライドが高すぎて、溶接の腕が落ちたのを認められなかったのか。もし自分だったらどうしただろう。